Calvinistic Methodist Chapel

Calvinistic Methodist Chapel

A large village chapel of eclectic classical-Romanesque style, built in slatestone with yellow sandstone dressings and slate roof. The strongly-modelled three-bay symmetrical façade is constructed of coursed, dressed slatestone. A coped and kneelered gable parapet crowns the front, topped with a decorative iron finial. The gable above the shallow projecting central entrance is similarly finished.

The entrance itself is marked by a segmental arch with chevron moulding, flanked by engaged columns with Early English capitals. Twin six-moulded panel doors provide access. Above the entrance, a triple round-arched window group features stiff-leafed capitals and plate tracery, with shouldered-arched lights and oculi above. A rose window of eight round-headed lights sits further up, with a moulded and stopped semi-circular label.

On either side of the entrance, set in slightly recessed panels, are tall round-arched windows with hollow-chamfered jambs and returned moulded labels. These have foliated stops and rusticated keystones, with flush dentilated pediments above. Fixed glazing throughout combines marginal and large geometric panels. Rusticated quoins in the form of pilasters frame the façade, terminating towards the top and continuing as ashlar.

The two-storey side elevations are simpler in treatment, with flat-arched ground-floor windows and round-arched first-floor openings. These contain twelve-pane sashes with marginal glazing, chamfered jambs, and projecting sills.

A contemporary vestry and schoolroom block adjoins to the rear, overlapping the right chapel side slightly. Access is via a boarded door on the left with a three-pane overlight, and an eight-pane narrow vertical sash to the right.

Interior

A plain entrance lobby with moulded plaster cornice leads to stair access to the gallery to right and left via arches. Opposite the entrance, a wide depressed arch frames a frosted glass window with marginal glazing, with entrances to the main chapel to right and left.

The chapel features raked pew seating down to the Set Fawr (the principal seating area for deacons), with pitch pine joinery throughout. A horseshoe-shaped gallery runs around the walls, similarly furnished with seating and carried on six slender cast iron columns with acanthus capitals and scrolled iron brackets. The gallery front is panelled with long moulded rectangular panels divided by smaller square ones, with painted marginal decoration, and a dentilated soffit above.

The ceiling comprises a main central section with four boarded compartments surrounding a plasterwork acanthus rose, enclosed within a large outer circle bearing scrollwork relief decoration. Smaller decorative roses occupy each outer compartment. An iron scrollwork ventilation grille runs around the perimeter with plain compartmented borders.

The Deacons' enclosure is rectangular, featuring a panelled dado with an open arcaded upper section above, with turned balusters and geometric finials at the ends. The Set Fawr has a central projecting pulpit with arcaded balustrades flanking to right and left. Flanking steps ascend with matching balustrade and geometric finials. The pulpit front comprises two sunken panels with segmental arches supported on engaged columns with waterleaf capitals. Behind the Set Fawr stands a large arched niche, decorated with painting and a painted Welsh inscription. Flanking pilasters with partly-gilded acanthus capitals frame the niche, with painted scrollwork in the spandrels. A moulded cornice with very shallow pediment surmounts this feature. Four-panel grained doors flank the Set Fawr, providing access to the schoolroom and vestry beyond.

The rectangular schoolroom has canted ends to its ceiling and plain boarded dado, with pine pews and a stage platform.