A Historic Celebration of Love

Zion’s Hill Hosts Pembrokeshire’s First Same-Sex Marriage Ceremony

There was a chapel full of joy on August 31st when Nia Williams and Lara Schmidt were married at Zion’s Hill United Reformed Church in Spittal.

As well as beginning their married life together, the couple made history as the first ever couple to marry in a same sex marriage ceremony in a chapel or church in Pembrokeshire.

The minister of the chapel, Revd Ruth Whitehead explained that “in the United Reformed Church it is up to individual congregations to decide whether they want to register the building for same sex marriages. The people of Zion’s Hill decided unanimously that they wished to do that because we believe that love is love and should be celebrated. The registration came through with just 7 weeks to spare before Nia & Lara’s wedding. It was a fabulous day for everyone involved. We hope this will be the first of many same sex weddings”.

Nia & Lara were joined by over a hundred friends and members of the family to fill the chapel with singing and happy smiles. When the moment of the declaration of the marriage was reached everyone erupted into applause. The celebrations continued well into the evening, at Woodhouse Barns, Rosemarket.

 

Photo Credit: O&C photography  https://www.oacphotography.com