Capel Tabernacl

The Capel Tabernacl is a chapel dating from 1860, built in stucco with a slate roof. The three-bay front, facing the road, is in a classical style, featuring giant pilasters, an entablature, a cornice, a central small pediment, and an outer blocking course. Similar detailing is present on the returns of the side walls, which are one bay wide. The pilasters rise on pedestals to the height of the outer window sill course and possess simply-detailed moulded bases and caps; the outer pilasters embrace the angles to align with the side-wall pilasters. The entablature projects over the centre and bears the words 'TABERNACL' over 'CAPEL YR ANNIBYNWYR' in raised lettering. The date 1860 is set in a sunk panel below the entablature. The central bay is distinguished by a Palladian triple window with a sill course, moulded cornices, and a moulded arch with a keystone. Below the window are panelled, painted-grained double doors set within a moulded arch featuring a triple keystone and pilaster jambs. The outer bays are narrower, featuring long, arched windows with large panes. Thin pilasters are positioned against the main piers, framing the windows with a moulded arch and keystone. Notably, the walling below the arches slightly projects from that above, aligning with the centre bay wall plane. All keystones have eroded masks. The side-wall first bays mirror the front elevation but without the thin pilasters; instead, an impost moulding is present. Subsequent side-wall bays feature four windows with similar detailing, alongside plain, close eaves and windows recessed within shallow arches, defined by plain piers. An added lean-to organ recess is on the end wall, with a louvred arched vent in the gable above.

Inside, the chapel is galleried with a coved ceiling. The ceiling incorporates a fine plaster rose set within later boarding, featuring moulded ribs and pierced wood panels. Original panelling is present on the gallery, which wraps around three sides. The gallery front consists of long panels with arch-panelled pilasters between, complemented by a cornice and curved angles. Nine iron columns display lotus capitals, supporting two aisles; pine pews include doors, and a similar great seat is also present. A lobby is located at the entrance end, featuring a large arched window with coloured glass margins and half-glazed double doors leading to an outer lobby. The pulpit and organ gallery resulted from alterations in 1889 and have matching arcaded timber fronts with column shafts. The pulpit front protrudes from the platform, displaying fluted angle piers and a dentil cornice, while the organ gallery slopes downward from the level of the earlier gallery. An arched organ recess houses an organ with a makers plaque from E. H. C. Salter and Sons, of Neath. The walls display marble memorials commemorating successive ministers, starting with the Rev. William Williams (died 1846).