Horeb Baptist Church

Horeb Baptist Church, built in 1862, is the second chapel to be built in Blaenavon for the Baptist community, costing £1300. The building is set back from the road behind a railed forecourt at the junction of Church Road and High Street, and is built into the slope.

The church is built in a simple classical style, on a T-shaped plan, of painted rendered stone with a slate roof. The three-window gable facade is symmetrical and has a flight of steps on a semicircular plan leading to a porch. Two Ionic columns and two half columns support a plain entablature and pediment with a slate roof. The square-headed doorway has chamfered jambs and double doors set back, with a coursed rock-faced stone plinth and rendered stone above. The facade is framed by two end pilaster strips, which extend up to the gable. Two tall round-headed windows flank the doorway, and a shorter window sits above, all featuring a moulded stone architrave, keystone, and angled stone sill supported by paired brackets. There is a framed stone plaque above the central window, inscribed with the chapel’s name and date. Deep modillion-bracketed eaves are present.

The side elevation is roughcast rendered. The southern three bays have a stone plinth and three tall round-headed windows with angled sills supported by paired brackets. The return of the capital from the main elevation pilaster is visible just below the eaves at the southern end. The northern bay is advanced and gabled, with a rendered plinth, and is on three storeys. The ground floor doorway is set back with double panel doors and a semicircular fanlight, accompanied by a small window to one side. The first and second floors each have a pair of round-headed windows with angled brick sills. Window frames have been recently replaced with UPVC.

The largely intact galleried interior includes a baptismal pool below the floorboards. A double staircase with wooden spindles leads to the pulpit, with the organ located behind it. Original pews and dado panelling are retained. Seven cast iron pillars support the gallery, accessed from the entrance hall via two staircases. The seating comprises four tiers. A large plaster rose with swirling acanthus leaves is in the centre of the decorated ceiling.

The church is included for group value with neighbouring listed buildings along Church Road.

Reference: Gwent County Record Office, D.2174.76, 'History of Horeb Baptist Church'.