Bethania Capel y Bedyddwyr Neillduol

This is a remarkably handsome, late 19th century, Free Methodist Chapel located in Neilldu, constructed in 1908. The building is of coursed rubble construction with limestone dressings and a slate roof, and is executed in a Beaux Arts style.

The symmetrical front facade is divided into three parts by channel-rusticated pilasters which rise to a bold, pulvinated frieze, each featuring decorative shields. The central bay contains the entrance, consisting of an architraved doorway with flanking large, keyed oculi and decorative aprons. Above the entrance is an entablature inscribed 'CAPEL Y BEDYDDWYR 1908 NEILLDUOL', supported by Ionic style columns set in antis, and punctuated by a large 80-pane window within a cavetto surround. Flanking the central bay are 32-pane sash windows in architraved and corniced surrounds. The narrower outer bays feature recessed doors in moulded surrounds with heavy keyblocks, each with a 32-pane sash window above, set in similar surrounds with exaggerated open half-round pediments and keystones. The facade is gabled above the cornice, incorporating a large semicircular window in the pediment. Square urns are positioned on the parapet, with an acroterion at the apex. The front facade extends one bay to each side. To the rear is a hipped, two-storey vestry building, extending three bays to the north. A central roof ventilator is also present.

The front area is enclosed by stone walls with iron railings held between stone piers, featuring shaped stanchions and alternating wavy bars.

The interior is equally impressive, featuring a four-tiered gallery that wraps around three sides and is rounded at the front. The gallery is supported by an arcade of six elegant round-headed arches with moulded architraves, formed by cast iron columns made by W. A. Baker & Co of Newport, Monmouthshire. The ceiling is a segmental vault divided by moulded ribs. The gallery front is cast iron, in the form of gilded palmettes, above a coved section. The pulpit is positioned against a recessed pointed arch in the back wall, housing a large pipe organ. A set of six steps leads to a raised gallery, with the pulpit centrally located in a part-octagonal shape. Below the pulpit, a moulded timber rail on cast iron palmette stanchions encloses the immersion font, with access provided below the pulpit gallery. The pews are arranged in three blocks, with raked gangways and curved side blocks, and are complete with umbrella racks and iron dishes. A stained glass screen encloses the entrance lobby and features open well stairs on each end. Behind the rear wall are three ground floor rooms and four rooms above. The vestry, in the rear north wing has a tripartite proscenium arch and a stage in an adjoining separate structure.

Monuments include two tablets on the rear wall: a polished white marble sarcophagus on a black background, commemorating Iorwerth Jones (Iorwerth ddu), who died in 1925; and a white marble scroll on a black background, dedicated to Parch. Richard Hughes (Hughes fach), a minister, author, and poet (1820-1885), by Morris of Maesteg. There are also three brass plaques, two commemorating past conductors and one dedicated to an organist.