- Nprn: 11383
- Cadw Ref: 27/12
- Cadw Record No: 7661
- Summary: The John Hughes Memorial Chapel was originally built in 1800 as a meeting place for a circulating Calvinist Methodist school. John Hughes, the famed preacher and hymn writer, taught in the school before his ordination in 1814 and subsequently served there as minister until his death in 1854. He and his wife are both buried in the graveyard opposite. Following the death of John Hughes the congregation dwindled, until in 1865 the chapel was replaced by Capel Newydd (NPRN 11385). The building was eventually sold and converted into a wheelwright's workshop, but a clause in the contract protected Reverend Hughes’ pulpit and sundries from destruction. During the 1984-95 funds were raised to restore the chapel and house. The chapelhas been re-opened as a non-denominational Centre for Christian Unity and Renewal and the cottage is occupied by the custodian. The restored pulpit of John Hughes is sited between the rear long-wall windows. This Chapel is now Grade 2 Listed.
RCAHMW, November 2010 - Description: Built in 1800 and possibly rebuilt in 1814; vernacular, long-wall entry chapel. Closed in 1865. Restored 1995. Present status [2002]: ecumenical centre.
Chapel and house under one roof: whitewashed stone front wall; stone slate? Roof; end stacks. The house served as the home of John Hughes, preacher and hymn writer, from 1814-1854. John Hughes and his wife are buried in the graveyard opposite. Ann Griffiths of Dolwar Fechan (1776-1805) was a member of the first chapel at Pont Robert, replaced by the present building of 1806: "her memoir was first published by The Reverend John Hughes, of Pont Robert; he also, with the assistance of his wife, who had been a servant at Dolwar Fechan, rescued the hymns from oblivion, as previously they had been kept but in the memory of Ann Griffiths's friends and acquaintances" (T G Jones, Montgomeryshire Collections (1878), v. 11, p.80). The present 1806 chapel served as Pontrobert's Calvinistic Methodist chapel until Capel Newydd was built in 1865, after which Hen Gapel John Hughes was sold and served as a workshop. The chapel and house have been restored in 1990s and have been in use since 1995 & 1993 respectively, the chapel serving as an ecumenical centre.
Single-fronted house to l.h.; chapel with end cambered-headed doorways, and inner widely-spaced windows with heads at eaves level; wooden doors with cover strips; upper tier of windows of 2-lights and the lower tier of three. Plaque inscribed: "John Hughes Pontrobert/ Pregethwr ac emynydd/ 1775-1854/ Bu'r ty hwn yn Gartref/ iddo o 1814 hyd 1854".
Inside, substantial timber-framed wall with house; king-post roof in chapel, where the restored pulpit of John Hughes is sited between rear long-wall windows; front windows re-made partly with old wood by students from technical college.
The graveyard on the opposite side of the lane is enclosed from the lane by a stone wall, with inset panel inscribed: "Agorwyd 1835/ helaethwyd 1905".
Status (2002): chapel (ecumenical centre).
O M Jenkins, 26/04/2004; site visit: 17/12/2002. - Restored: 1995 Source:Cadw Listing Descr.
- Rebuilt: 1814 Source:Plaque
- Built: 1800 Source:Cadw Listing Descr,
- Closed: 1865 Source:Cadw Listing Descr.
- Date Of Chapel: 1814 Source:
- Converted: 2010 Centre for Chirstian Unity and Renewal (Methodist Heritage website)
- Materials
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Storey: Single Storey
- Style: Vernacular
- Plan: Long-wall entry
- Window Glazing: Small Pane
- Windows: Flat-Headed
Key Details of this Chapel
Key Dates of this Chapel
Changes of Status its History
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
2 thoughts on “HEN CAPEL JOHN HUGHES (CALVINISTIC METHODIST), PONTROBERT (HEN GAPEL JOHN HUGHES; PONTROBERT)”
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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