Salem Baptist Chapel

The Salem Baptist Chapel was built in 1876, though a chapel existed on the site since 1830. It is constructed of stucco with stone dressings, topped with a slate roof and timber bargeboards. The front facade is distinguished by rusticated rock-faced stone surrounds to all openings and rock-faced stone quoins, sills, and a thin course beneath the pedimental gable. A rusticated stone-framed granite plaque above the gable is inscribed "Built 1830. Rebuilt 1876", with raised stucco lettering spelling out "Salem Baptist Chapel" on either side and below the plaque. The three-bay facade features broad arched windows with small-paned glazing and marginal bars; the central upper window is slightly wider, with additional inner bars corresponding to the fanlight above the central pair of two-panel doors. Coloured glass margins are present in the windows and lunette. Small corbels support the sills, and a low rough-stone plinth and steps lead to the entrance. The side walls are four bays high, with two storeys of cambered-headed windows, similar glazing, and rock-faced stone dressings. A vestry is located to the rear, significantly altered but believed to be the original chapel.

The interior of 1876 retains a three-sided raked gallery and box pews arranged across two aisles, with extensive painted graining on the woodwork. The gallery has curved angles with long horizontal panels separated by shorter panels, and a central panel incorporating a clock. Seven painted, fluted cast iron columns, made by M John of Merthyr, support the gallery. The gallery front projects over a deep coving with painted marbling, and features raked panelled pews. A rectangular pulpit platform, accessed by stairs with turned balusters, newel posts, and ball finials, has a panelled base. The pulpit itself projects slightly with gothic panels to the base, three panels beneath a segmental arch; dado panelling and a broad painted stucco arch are situated behind the pulpit, incorporating an elliptical arch on ornate consoles and marble memorial to Morgan Thomas. A baptistery is located beneath the pulpit floor. The Set fawr (choir area) exhibits curved angles and doors with detailing similar to the box pews. The ceiling features a moulded cornice, then a sloping plaster border leading to the timber ceiling divided into six sections by thin moulded ribs radiating from a central plain boarded circle with concentric moulded rings. A vestry to the rear, potentially the original chapel, is single-storey and four-bay, with a later kitchen extension and considerable alteration.