Aberffraw Calvinistic Methodist Chapel

This is a single-story, gable-entry Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. It dates to the late 18th century, with subsequent rebuilds and restoration in the 19th and 20th centuries. The external walls are rendered, topped by a hipped slate roof with broadly projecting eaves and verges. The front of the chapel is symmetrical, featuring a round-headed plaque set beneath a triangular pedimented canopy supported by moulded corbels. The plaque’s top displays a circular motif of a dove flying over a bible, surrounded by the inscription: CAPEL Y METHODISTIAD CALVINAIDD, followed by the dates: First 1785, Second 1822, Third 1861, and Restored 1905. Flanking the plaque are recessed, round-headed sash windows without horn detailing; the upper part of each window has radiating glazing bars and they are linked by a continuous rendered sill resting on square corbels. Flanking panelled doors are set under rectangular fanlights with glazing bars, recessed in rendered surrounds with moulded canopies on moulded and fluted brackets. The angles of all elevations are emphasized by rendered quoins. Each side elevation features four windows with detailing similar to those on the front, incorporating rendered surrounds and keystones above the heads. The rear elevation has two similarly detailed windows, though lacking keystones.

Each doorway leads into a small vestibule with angled, half-glazed doors opening into the chapel. The main area, or 'set fawr', is rectangular, raised by two steps, and has a wide central bay projecting to the front with side entrances. This area contains recessed panelling under a plain rail and square newel posts with moulded caps. The pulpit is raised by three steps, also advanced centrally with side entrances, featuring a bow front; the lower part has ornate floriate carving, the upper part a plain frieze above a moulded band and below a moulded cornice. Raking pews follow the shape of the chapel, with a central bank facing the set fawr. The walls are lined with tongued and grooved panelling under a tiled dado, which is broken by a moulded plaster panel behind the pulpit. This panel displays three deep domed recesses interspersed with fluted Ionic pilasters and is surmounted by a segmental pediment with a moulded surround. Windows flanking the pulpit contain Art Nouveau-style stained glass depicting floral motifs. The ceiling is comprised of deeply recessed plaster panels with moulded surrounds; the central panels have arched recesses and the outer panels feature latticework ventilation grilles. A deep coving with plasterwork relief decoration runs around the central panels, following a continuous diamond pattern with flowers at each intersection and a fleur de lys in each diamond, with acanthus leaf scrolling at each corner.