Capel Peniel

Capel Peniel is a classical chapel, likely dating to the 18th century, exhibiting a design intended to resemble a temple. The front elevation, facing east, is distinguished by a gable and is finished in cream-coloured, roughcast rendering. The side walls are constructed of large blocks of roughly coursed rubble stone. The roof is slate, with projecting eaves. The three-bay front features a Tuscan portico with angle pilasters and a pediment. The details within the pediment are later and are in a contrasting style, comprising a radial-glazed bullseye window incorporating rounded and pointed trefoils, flanked by large triangular panels. Ground-floor entrances are located in the outer bays, each featuring fielded-panel doors. Between the entrances is a nine-pane hornless sash window. Above the ground floor, three twelve-pane hornless sash windows illuminate the gallery. The side walls contain twelve-pane hornless sash windows set within raised cement surrounds, providing light to both the main floor and the gallery. A three-light round-headed window with Gothic glazing bars is situated at the rear, above lower additions and offset to the right.

Two parallel gabled additions extend from the rear. The earlier of these was originally a vestry. Its two-storey south front has a pebble-dashed finish and includes two small-pane sash windows; the lower sash of one has been boarded over. A twelve-pane sash window is located on the left side of the upper storey, while two two-light casement windows, replacements for earlier openings, are positioned on the right. A lean-to structure abuts the rear of the chapel’s right side, featuring a replacement half-glazed door and window on its right side. The gable end of the vestry is constructed of rubble stone. A later schoolroom projects from the north side of the chapel. Its north front has a boarded door with overlight to the left, and three four-pane horned sash windows. The west gable end of the schoolroom has two fixed three-light windows with thin Gothic glazing bars.

Inside, doors open into vestibules containing closed-string gallery staircases. Panelled doors with margin-glazed overlights lead into the main chapel, which has scribed plaster walls and a ramped floor. The boarded ceiling features large panels with moulded ribs and an ornate central ceiling rose. A three-sided raked gallery is supported by fluted cast-iron piers and fretwork scrolled brackets. The gallery itself has a panelled soffit, a panelled front, and a clock centrally located. The main floor retains numbered box pews. A late 19th-century "set fawr" (a traditional Welsh preaching area) has a panelled back. The pulpit, also dating from the late 19th century, has steps to the right and left with turned balusters and newels, and an ornate front featuring fluted pilasters under consoles, two round-headed panels with relief foliage, a blind balustrade, and a dentil frieze. Behind the altar is a reredos with fluted pilasters, foliage capitals, and a round-headed moulded arch with an enriched keystone. Panelled doors to the right and left of the pulpit provide access to the vestry and schoolroom. The schoolroom on the right side has panelled wainscot and central ceiling rose.