The old courthouse near Cardigan town centre which opened in 1935 and dispensed justice in the community until its closure under restructuring of magistrates courts three years ago has re-opened and become an entirely different entity as a chapel of rest.

Local community investment group 4CG took over the iconic courthouse building and next-door police station in November 2012 and earmarked them for community use.

Funeral director Peter Evans obtained a lease on the courthouse and transformed it to a high quality funeral home with chapel of rest.

During a unique ceremony mayor Cllr. Gwynfi Jenkins in his final mayoralty engagement adopted roles as civic leader in officially opening the Peter Evans Chapel of Rest in Priory Street and as a vicar in giving it his blessing.

Cllr. Jenkins said “As mayor I have been asked to attend a large and varied number of events but never been asked to open a chapel of rest.

“This building was a court where people were punished for wrongdoings but now is a place of rest and worship.

“I bless the chapel of rest and hope it brings spiritual comfort to the families who use it,” he said.

The telephone number for the new facility is 01239 615266.