Chapelgoers were shocked after several ancient stones, over 330 years old, were stolen from a religious site in Swansea.

The incident is believed to have taken place late Saturday or early Sunday morning near Hellionnen Chapel, around five miles west of Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley. Around 10 slabs were removed from the building’s exterior, the first time this has happened. They are 330 years old and were part of the building’s original floor.

When the chapel was rebuilt in the 19th century, the floor was replaced and the old stones removed to form a path leading to the chapel door. You can keep up with the latest Swansea news by signing up for our local newsletter here.

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“It was nice Saturday, there was a local dog walk and they were still there,” said Hellionnen Chapel secretary Sandra Beynon. “But when I got there at 9:30 am the next morning, this is what I found.

“These stones have been in the same place near the chapel since the 19th century. We called the police and they said they were going to increase patrolling in the area as much as possible. We want to spread the word about what happened to try and make these rocks “too hot to handle” in hopes that someone will learn something.

“Fortunately a local builder will come over the weekend and put some quarried stones in place because it’s dangerous right now so people have been very kind.” But if you think about it, who would do something like that? Stealing anything is bad enough, but stealing from a chapel?

South Wales Police have been contacted for comment.

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