Tiny Snowdonia Church Beats the World to Win Viral Reddit Contest
By Community Correspondent
A church in the Snowdonia village of Beddgelert has found itself at the centre of an unexpected online phenomenon after becoming the final location remaining in a viral Reddit competition.
St Mary's Church was the last place left standing in a month-long challenge run by the Reddit community r/terriblemaps, which saw thousands of users repeatedly vote areas off a map until only a single location remained.
The contest started with the entire world divided into two sections.
Users voted for one half to be removed before the remaining area was split again. The process continued for 29 rounds, gradually narrowing from continents and countries to regions, towns and eventually a small part of north Wales.
In the final vote, St Mary's Church emerged as the winner.
As the competition narrowed towards Beddgelert, support for the village began to grow online. Reddit users shared photographs of the area, praised its scenery and encouraged others to keep the village in the contest.
One user described Beddgelert as "a gorgeous place", while another wrote: "Beautiful Church. No wonder it won."
Revd Kim Williams, vicar of St Mary's Church, said the result had come as a surprise.
"We were quite surprised to learn that St Mary's Church had become the focus of an online competition but it's nice to see so many people speaking positively about Beddgelert and Eryri.
"I might be biased saying this but it definitely deserved to win! St Mary's has served the local community for generations. We are always pleased to welcome visitors who come to enjoy the village, the landscape and the church."
Beddgelert is one of the best-known villages in Eryri National Park and a popular base for visitors exploring the surrounding mountains.
Nearby attractions include the Welsh Highland Railway, Aberglaslyn Gorge, the Watkin Path to Yr Wyddfa and the Sygun Copper Mine.
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The church is also a short walk from Gelert's Grave, which is linked to the famous Welsh legend of Prince Llywelyn and his faithful hound.
While the online challenge was intended as a bit of fun, it has given Beddgelert and St Mary's Church attention from thousands of people around the world who may never otherwise have heard of the village.
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