- Nprn: 10937
- Cadw Ref: (WO)6/215
- Cadw Record No: 12273
- Summary: Hermon Baptist Chapel was built in 1776 and rebuilt in 1832 to the design of architect Daniel Evans. The present chapel, dated 1832, is built in the Classical style with a gable-entry plan, two storeys and small pane round-headed windows. Hermon is now Grade 2* listed for one of the most architecturally interesting chapel facades of its date in Wales and for the near complete contemporary interior including a fine plasterwork and gallery.
RCAHMW, October 2010 - Description: The chapel was built in 1776 and rebuilt in 1832 to the design of Daniel Evans. Built in the Classical style, gable entry type. Status (1998): chapel Stone/slate. Classical front portico and pediment. Interior original. Painted. Forecourt with curving stuccoed wall and steps. Milepost set in. 1993 PCNPA.
May have been rebuilt after 1832; at the least refacaded. But if it wasn't then this is an exceptionally rich building for the period with an exceptional exterior. Fine classical façade divided in half by a full width jutting moulding linking the two side 'panels' with the slightly recessed central bay. Big portico in antis dropped back from this plane with marbled columns (three free, two halfs engaged) echoed by flat pilasters like a shadow on the wall behind them.
Big San Andrea arch squeezed in and only just missing the deep eaves. Eyebrow moudings over the two windows in the upper façade centre - the only façade windows. Roundheaded windows and door have fan/shell motifs in tympaniums. Shaped decorated plaque, oval with lozenges. Staircases to balcony run from exterior porch direct, don't enter the chapel. Interior excellent, four sided gallery with organ and choir seats behind pulpit. Open grillework here - panelled elsewhere.
Noted: "Southwest Wales" (+photo) Shell Guide, Rees. (Anthony Jones)
"An exceptionally rich building for the period (1832) with an exceptional exterior.......and excellent" interior (Anthony Jones). The church (chapel) was formed in 1807 (1998 Llawlyfr of Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru) having been built first in 1776 and rebuilt in 1832 (1851 R. Census, date plaque, & Welsh Office, etc) to the design of Daniel Evans. Status (1998): in Baptist use.
The early baptists in Fishguard had a number of informal meeting places in domestic houses before deciding to build the first Penucha'r Dref Chapel on the High Street in 1776. The driving force behind the construction of the building was the Reverend John Williams of Llangloffan, while much of the finance was provided by Henry Morgan of Tregroes. When opened it was the largest chapel in the county, the opening sermon preached by Morris Jones. In 1807 it was incorporated, and recieved the new name of Hermon.
Successful preaching by ministers such as Henry Davies the elder, John James, James Richards and Zarobabel Davies increased the members so much that by 1832 it was neccessary for the chapel to be enlarged, creating much of the building that is present today. The chapel is of a gable entry tpe, with a stuccoed Classical facade incorporating the eariest known use of a giant arch breaking the pediment, a design probably done by Daniel Evans. This arch is seated on wide, windowess outer piers, and spans a central loggia with four bay Doric colonnade, seperated from the round-headed windows above it by a prominent cornice. Two doorways, one either end of the loggia and furnished with blind fan-heads lead into a two phase interior.
The three side gallery with relatively plain panelled front survives from the 1832 chapel, together with the tub pulpit, while a 1906-07 addition to the rear of the of this, designed by George Morgan of Carmarthen, is fronted by a bowed, cast iron gallery frontage, very diferent in style and set at a lower level to the oringal gallery fronts to the side. Behind the inserted pews of the four side of the gallery is an early 19th century pipe organ, apparently re-used from another site. There is a fine plaster ceiling rose set within a central panel of the ceiling. An usual aspect of this particular chapel is that the access to the gallery is via stairs leading from either end of the open loggia.
Membership of the chapel reached its peak (748) in the years 1899-1934 under the ministry of Reverend Daniel Davies, and during this time two off shoots were established at Bethel and Glandwr. One of the most remarkable events during his ministry appears to be the baptism of 92 people within one day, on the 15th January 1905, in the River Gwaun.
In 2010 the chapel is still in full use.
RCAHMW 15th May 2010 (ref: Capel Local Information leaflet 37) - Restored: 1832 Source:PCNPA
- Built: 1776 Source:Religious Census
- Built: 1776 Source:PCNPA
- Built: 1776 Source:Welsh Office (plaque
- Built: 1776 Source:Jones, Anthony
- Church Formed: 1807 Source:Llawlyfr 1998
- Rebuilt: 1832 Source:Religious Census
- Partly Rebuilt: 1832 Source:Welsh Office (plaque
- Rebuilt: 1832 Source:Jones, Anthony
- Extended: 1906 Source:BOW
- Date Of Chapel: 1832 Source:
- Builder: 1776 J. James,
- Architect: 1832 Daniel Evans,
- Architect: 1906 George Morgan, Carmarthen
- £ 5500: 1905 Chapel (RCCEORBWM)
- £ 1500: 1905 Schoolroom (RCCEORBWM)
- 200: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- 87: 1851 (Religious Census)
- 66: 1851 Long seats at back (Religious Census)
- 16: 1851 (Religious Census)
- 800: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- Chapel: 1998 (Llawlyfr)
- Chapel: 2010 (R Scourfield)
- Welsh: 1998 (Llawlyfr)
- Materials
- Rendered
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Storey: Two Storey
- Style: Classical
- Gallery: On Four Sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear Wall
- Window Glazing: Small Pane
- Windows: Round-Headed
Key Details of this Chapel
Key Dates of this Chapel
Key People in this Chapel History
Costs during this Chapels History
Capacities during this Chapels History
Changes of Status its History
The Languages of the Chapel during its History
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
Images from Coflein
Map
- Grid Reference: SM95673690
- Address: HIGH STREET, UPPER FISHGUARDFISHGUARD
2 thoughts on “HERMON WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH (PARTICULAR BAPTIST), HIGH STREET, UPPER FISHGUARD (PARTICULAR BAPTIST)”
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Hello
My great great grandparents were married in Kinnerton Chapel in Old Radnor on 21st May1850. I have been searching for information on the Chapel, so was pleased to find this website. I have now located it on Google Street View – looks like someone is ‘doing it up’ to live in: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.2612635,-3.1095337,3a,90y,232.95h,84.26t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s-8DWPORkq2RFVNXBLde_-g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!9m2!1b1!2i53?hl=en-GB
The marriage record of my ancestors Abraham Bounds and Elizabeth Williams is attached. I hope it is of interest.
All the best
Saira
Dear Sara
Thank you for the information. I am glad to hear that it was some help to you.
Good luck on your continued search
Christine