The Old Chapel And The Old Schoolroom With Gates And Piers

The Old Chapel and the Old Schoolroom, with associated gates and piers, represent a former Methodist place of worship and its adjacent school. The chapel was built in 1835, while the schoolroom was added in 1874.

The chapel is rendered and features a hipped slate roof. Its north-facing principal elevation has two large arched windows with 25 panes each, featuring radial-bar heads. The east elevation includes a wide, double flush-panelled door set within a panelled arched surround, deep reveals, and a smaller arched sash window above. A similar arched sash window is on the west elevation. A gabled porch with an arched doorway incorporating a three-panel door and overlight is also present. The schoolroom is constructed of rubble stone with a slate roof. Its north-facing principal elevation is characterized by stepped arched plate glass windows arranged in a 1:2:1 pattern; the central pair is sheltered by a semi-circular moulded hood supported by brackets. Two similar pairs of windows are found on the west elevation.

The interior of the chapel is believed to retain its original gallery, and the schoolroom is thought to have an open hall with decorative roof trusses comprised of tie beams and collar beams.

At the east end, a pair of square, gabled piers sit on a plinth and feature weathered moulded capping, both raised on two granite steps. These piers contain a pair of good ornamental 19th-century cast iron gates, which incorporate ornamentation at dog-bar level, topped with a simple overthrow. A low rubble wall with weathered stone coping runs in front of the chapel, and a further pair of square rubble piers mark the recessed porch entry.

According to historical records and architectural surveys, the chapel opened in 1835, followed by the schoolroom in 1874.

The building is designated at Grade II due to its architectural interest. It is considered a fine example of a pre-1840 Methodist chapel, retaining its original external architectural composition, while the juxtaposition of the chapel's classical style with the schoolroom’s Gothic style demonstrates the evolution of architectural styles within Methodism. The characteristic arrangement of the chapel and schoolroom, along with the retention of the boundary walls, piers, and gates, contributes to its group value.