Maescanner Baptist Chapel

Maescanner Baptist Chapel is a building of group value, dating from 1863 and constructed in a simple Italianate style. The front elevation, facing north, retains its original design. The chapel is built of randomly coursed local stone with limestone dressings; the sides and rear are rendered, and the roof is slate with a copper ventilation lantern midway along the ridge. The chapel name is displayed in an oval in the gable apex, with two small round-headed ventilators above. The main entrance has panelled doors with a round head, set within a stone Romanesque style surround that includes small inset shafts. There are tall windows on each side of the door, and a smaller tripartite window above, all with margin glazing. The side windows are arranged over two storeys, linked by string courses. The west and south windows have been replaced, but the east elevation retains the original sashes. Cast-iron rainwater goods are also present.

Upon entering, a small anteroom contains a quarter-landing staircase on each side, featuring carved newels and balusters, and a shaped handrail. Panelled doors lead to cupboards beneath the stairs. The walls are finished with vertical boarding and a small top moulding. A four-light window to the interior has obscured glass with coloured decorative motifs, and symmetrical six-panelled doors are used throughout.

The interior is striking, displaying high-class joinery and plasterwork. The seating is arranged in four blocks, separated by two gangways; the rear three rows are slightly raised. The side blocks of seats are angled, and those at the front are turned 90 degrees to face the pulpit. Each seat-end is numbered and fitted with an umbrella stand. The pulpit features Classical detailing, with front panels separated by small colonettes and a heavily moulded entablature. Twin pulpit stairs have dark-stained carved newels and balusters. A panelled dado is located at the rear of the pulpit, surmounted by a wide arch-headed recess with Ionic pilasters, decorative keying, and fluted pilasters that are half-filled. A baptistery is positioned in front of the pulpit, and the set fawr has an open back to improve visibility, with decorative metalwork standards and a panelled lower section. A panelled door to the left of the pulpit provides access to the vestry.

The gallery front is panelled, divided by short fluted pilasters, and features a perforated cast-iron strip above and a moulded, enriched handrail. Detailing is carried around small curves at the corners, and a central clock is incorporated. The gallery is supported by a beam with modillions carried upon seven cast iron columns of Tuscan style; there are three seats at the sides of the gallery and four at the rear.

The exceptionally elaborate ceiling is constructed of fibrous-plaster panels that incorporate ventilation grilles and is painted in three colours. It includes two circuits of diagonally fixed tongue-and-groove boarding, with deep ribs, all stained a dark colour. A plain cove contrasts with this, extending down to a small moulded and enriched cornice.