Jerusalem Chapel

Jerusalem Chapel

A lateral entry, two-storey chapel in simple Renaissance style, built of local rubble masonry with rendered elevations and stressed quoins at angles. The building has a modern shallow pyramidal slate roof.

The principal elevation faces west, presenting a strongly symmetrical three-window range with a slightly advanced central entrance bay topped by a pediment. At first-floor level, a continuous moulded sill band and eaves cornice run across the facade. The cornice bears raised lettering reading: "SEFYDLWYD 1780 GWALCHMAI M.C. 1849 AIL-ADEILADWYD" (Established 1780 Gwalchmai M.C. 1849 re-built).

The central bay contains panelled doorways with moulded architraves and segmental pedimented heads, positioned either side and between pilasters which are rusticated at ground floor level and fluted at first floor. The inner pilasters are linked above the cornice by a segmental moulded arch. Within the tympanum of the entrance pediment, raised lettering reads "ADGYWEIRIWYD" (Renewed/Refurbished) with the date 1925 below. The outer pilasters continue upwards to form square piers surmounted by banded globe finials flanking the pediment; a similarly detailed finial crowns the apex of the moulded surround. Windows are slightly recessed leaded casements; between the doorways is a stained glass window set within a stressed architrave and corbelled sill, with fluted pilasters as jambs supporting a shaped and moulded lintel. The side and rear elevations feature large 24-pane hooded sash windows, slightly recessed.

Interior

Entrance doors lead into a full-width vestibule with gallery stairs to each end, installed as part of the 1920s refurbishment. The stairs feature shaped balusters and newel posts with a moulded rail. Between the staircases, the chapel wall curves to follow the internal seating arrangement, with half-glazed doors at either end of the curve providing access to the aisles. A leaded window is positioned directly opposite the stained glass window in the outer wall, dedicated to Madge Williams, died 1921.

The set fawr (principal pew) faces the entrance, with three ranks of pews arranged in semi-circular formation radiating outward. The set fawr has side entrances and a curved front; the facing panels are recessed in the lower part with central beading along the middle section. The upper portion is arched on beaded and chamfered piers with acanthus leaf capitals and floriate bosses between each arch. Square newel posts are spaced along the length and at the entrances, each with acanthus leaf-decorated caps surmounted by a banded globe finial. The posts feature highly ornate inset floriate panels on their sides, matching detailing found on the gallery front.

The pulpit is raised on seven steps with side entrances flanked by newel posts matching those of the set fawr, with shaped and fluted balusters and a moulded rail. The pulpit comprises three bays, rectangular in plan with a bowed central bay to the upper part, set on a corbelled base with floriate frieze. The facing panels bear highly stylised flower carvings recessed within acanthus leaf surrounds, separated by fluted Corinthian pilasters. Behind the pulpit is a plaster relief panel; the central part recesses between Tuscan pilasters supporting a moulded arch, flanked by paired Corinthian pilasters with upper fluting supporting a plain frieze with dentilled moulded cornice, raised as an arch above the central section.

The gallery walls are plastered and painted with tongued and grooved panelling beneath a moulded dado rail. The gallery contains three ranks of raking pews arranged as the ground floor seating, supported on fluted cast-iron piers with floriate capitals. The gallery front is decorated with highly ornate inset floriate panels: paired rectangular panels interspersed with slightly advanced square panels. A moulded rail above and below the gallery is jettied on shaped brackets, each with a shaped pendant. The ceiling features diagonally set tongued and grooved panelling between moulded dividers, with ornate ventilation grilles in the central panels.