The new owners of an 18th century chapel in Carmarthen, Wales have revealed plans to open a “museum of the paranormal and spirituality”.
Laura and Erik Rowton purchased the grade II-listed Penuel Chapel in August and aim to open it as a supernatural museum and hold seances on site.
Via the website, the museum was founded this year by the couple, who are paranormal researchers with more than 540,000 YouTube followers.
The new museum will display their personal collection of paranormal and spiritual artefacts, including a “cursed” Ouija board.
Penuel Church, which used to hold services in the chapel but has since moved to another venue in Carmarthen, said it was “in no way associated with the museum”.
“We had been informed that the building would be used as a historical museum. However, in recent weeks, our church has sadly become aware of some other intentions of the current owners. We were unaware of these intentions at the point of sale,” the church said in a statement posted to Facebook.
Laura Rowton told the BBC it was “disappointing” the church never raised these issues with the couple. “I think a lot of their concerns would be alleviated,” she said. “We want it to be a safe space for people to come and explore their beliefs.”
Seances to be held in adjoining building
Rowton added: “There is a lot of focus on the darker side of the paranormal but wherever there is darkness, there is light.”
She confirmed that any “more controversial” offerings like “a Victorian seance or spirit boards” would be held in an adjoining building.
Carmarthen’s mayor Emlyn Schiavone told the publication: “Sadly, it’s a sign of the times. Where chapels and churches were really vibrant places, increasingly membership has fallen.”
The Rowtons hope to open the new museum by Halloween.
Images courtesy of Rowtons’ Museum
