Capel Bethania

Capel Bethania is a brick chapel dating to the 18th century, built with Ruabon red brick, sandstone ashlar dressings, and a slate roof. The front of the chapel features a three-bay gable design, subtly emphasised in its vertical planes. The main wall-face is the prominent plane, with windows recessed, while flanking bays have angle piers flush with stepped corbelling and raised framing elements around the doorcases, main window recess, and gable panel. Stone coping is punctuated by four square finials, and a gable finial is present.

The central section is distinguished by paired gabled arched doorways between pilasters. The doorways have moulded stone imposts and arches built with brick in paired gables and stone coping. Double six-panel doors are fitted with ornate iron tracery within fanlights. The first-floor main recess contains an impressive stone-traceried arched window, deeply recessed under a moulded stone arch with stone column shafts set within brick jambs. The tracery features column-shafted mullions to the broad centre light and narrower lights on either side; a transom stretches across the centre, incorporating a stilted arch with four stone radiating bars framing five stone roundels. The main recess is framed in brick with stone corbelling above the head, and pilasters embellish the sides up to window impost height, with a smaller stone cornice positioned at the level of the outer turrets' stone plinths.

The side bays each feature a ground-floor small triple light, with three slit windows positioned between four recessed brick piers, and flush stone heads and sills. Above, a large stone-traceried arched window incorporates moulded imposts, a moulded stone arch, and two-light tracery with arched heads over the lights and a roundel above. A transom is present across the window, and below the transom, the mullions and jambs are shafted. All front glazing consists of small-paned metal windows, possibly renewed in the 1930s.

The side walls are five bays deep, two storeys high, with arched upper windows and flat-headed lower windows. The walls feature flush ashlar lintels, arches, and sills, with timber small-paned casement windows with top lights. Each recess is corbelled above and incorporates brick piers and a raised plinth. The rear wall is two storeys high with three windows, and includes a single gable light. A coped gable is present, featuring turrets which function as chimneys.

The interior is notable, particularly the roof, which consists of a shallow elliptical vault down the centre with three tie-beams and queen-post trusses, alongside flat panelled ceilings on either side. A curved gallery is supported by seven iron columns with florid capitals. The timber front is constructed in long panels with small square panels above, which are chamfered to circles. A curved great seat is designed to create an entry, with small U-plan seats at the foot of the pulpit steps. The pulpit features curving balustraded steps and a canted front panelled with roundels. A large timber pulpit-back incorporates fluted pilasters, five arches, a fretted frieze, and a pediment with acroterial finials. The chapel further includes raked gallery pews and a curved rear wall.