Jerusalem Independent Chapel

Jerusalem Independent Chapel

Chapel built in coursed rock-faced brown stone with tooled sandstone dressings and slate roof. The two-storey gable front features gable coping overhanging on console brackets, with kneeler and apex square blocks. Ashlar raised quoins frame all elements, while rusticated surrounds encase all openings and a recessed main arch.

The main arch displays a plaque reading 'Jerusalem Capel yr Annibynwyr 1875' positioned above a small ashlar octofoil rose inscribed 'Ailadeiladwyd 1903'. A thin string course is carried across from the sills of the outer first floor windows, supported by tiny corbel blocks beneath. The ground floor contains two doors with stone voussoirs to arched heads; the voussoirs rise to slightly pointed outer edges with thin hoods. Double doors feature crescent overlights. The side bays contain cambered-headed windows below and arched windows above, with voussoirs rising to slightly pointed arches and 2-light wooden glazing. An upper thin string course sits at first floor impost level. The foundation stone is inscribed with the names T. Thomas, architect, and Herbert Bros, builders.

The rendered side walls are two storeys tall. One elevation comprises a 7-window range of 2-light windows in stone surrounds, cambered-headed below and arched above. Another elevation has a 5-window range on the left with a small 3-storey hipped stair tower to the rear. Cambered heads frame the door and first floor windows, while an arch head crowns the second floor. Raised stucco surrounds and quoins articulate these elevations. A large arched stair light occupies the end wall.

The interior presents a large scale space with boarded ceiling edged in plaster. The ceiling features lattice ribbing and an ornate centre acanthus rose with scroll border, punctuated by two plain round vents. A four-sided gallery runs on nine iron columns with acanthus capitals, with the gallery front curved at the angles. The gallery front is painted with grained finish showing long narrow panels beneath strips of pierced cast iron to trefoil pattern. Pilasters between the panels bear raised motifs, and a deep cornice below features one course of zigzag ornament. Short panels occupy the centre of each end gallery; one displays a clock marked 'Ganz, Swansea 1904'. The 1903 addition matches exactly, though the join can be discerned; two of the iron columns are marked 'T.W. Williams & Sons Dunvant 1903'.

Pews with shaped ends and low doors are arranged in three blocks, with outer pews canted and umbrella stands attached to pew ends. One of two inward-facing blocks of pews positioned each side of the pulpit survives. The Set fawr features an open fretwork scroll to its back, curved angles, and matching gates.

The pulpit is a massive boat-like free-standing structure of elongated octagon form, with a low base and deep boarded cove beneath the main part. Angle columns with bases positioned forward of a lower cornice support the main section, which features ball pendants. Gothic ornate 2-bay tracery adorns each panel, with black wood column shafts, turned caps and bases, moulded pointed paired heads, and pierced sexfoil between heads. The sides are 2-panel long; the canted front contains only one panel, and the rear features a single curving stair with heavy carved newels. Materials throughout are of high quality, predominantly hardwoods. Memorials to ministers flank the pulpit.

The entrance lobby contains a traceried window with coloured and etched glazing. Stairs to the galleries are provided. Some pews at the organ end are pitch pine, dating from 1903; the remainder are painted grained. The organ was built by Norman & Beard in 1903.

Behind the chapel stands a vestry of 1903 with pitched roof supported by two large iron columns made by W A Baker & Co of Newport. A screen occupies one end.