- Nprn: 12686
- Summary: Ebenezer Independent Chapel, was built in 1881 by the most prolific designer of chapels in Wales, the Independent Minister Thomas Thomas of Landore. it is recognisably his by the use of a great central recessed arch breaking into the pediment or gable of the main front. This spans one of his usual arched Venetian central windows which sits on a projecting block string-course with uprights supported on stone-corbels; all features of Italian Renaissance origin popularised by Thomas throughout Wales. The classical gable urn capped by a spirelet finial is a distinctively Thomas addition. Typical of Thomas's late work is the variation on Florentine tracery, in the head of the sidelights of the Venetian Window, which produces a teardrop shape and the elongated or stilted upper height of the central light of the window which is Byzantine in origin. This is an economical rendering of Thomas's last main chapel design which often had his later wide central arches flanked by attached classical columns and carrying a wide ashlar entablature, executed in cut Bath Stone, which also circled and emphasised the head of the great arch (a second simple example can be seen at Salem, Llangennech, erected three years before Ebenezer). The seating capacity of Ebenezer was recorded as 800 in 1905, a fairly average size for a chapel in Llanelli or Wales but with a capacity of 20 the Schoolroom provision was the smallest in the town.
Stephen R. Hughes RCAHMW, September 2007
Sources:
Capel Newsletter 34
Capel Local Information Sheet 16 on Llanelli
T. Lloyd, J. Orbach & R. Scourfield, The Buildings of Wales, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion - Description: The chapel was built in 1881, and was to the design of The Rev. Thomas Thomas, of Landore. Built in the Sub-Classical and Lombardic/Italian style, gable entry type. A prominant feature of this chapel is the large arch in the facade. Status (1998): in chapel use.
Site visit - G. Watts 20/07/1998
A very small congregation- may well be forced to close in a few years time. Outside well maintained, but large sections of the internal walls show signs of dampness. Large organ which cannot be used - problems with organ chamber which has been letting in water. Schoolroom seems to be damp and in need of attention (Information of 20/07/1998 from Gareth Watts; noted by Karen Andrews, 20/07/2000).
"A late work by a prolific and competent chapel architect, ....& in the round-arched Italianate that he preferred" (Julian Orbach's programme notes for the Vic Soc). The chapel was built in 1881 (G Watts & J Orbach), and was to the design of The Rev. Thomas Thomas, of Landore. (J Orbach). Status (1998): in chapel use. - Built: 1881 Source:Orbach, Julian
- Dated: 1881 Source:Watts, G. (plaque)
- Date Of Chapel: 1881 Source:
- Architect: 1881 Thomas Thomas, Landore
- £ 2000: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 800: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- 20: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- Chapel: 20/07/1998 (Site visit - Gareth Watts)
- Disused: Spring 2010 (Capel)
- Welsh: 20/07/1998 (Site visit - Gareth Watts)
- Materials
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Mixed
- Gallery: On three sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear wall
- Window Glazing: Florentine Tracery
- Windows: Perpendicular
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: SN50700010
- Address: INKERMAN STREET, LLANELLILLANELLI
2 thoughts on “EBENESER WELSH INDEPENDENT CHAPEL (EBENEZER), INKERMAN STREET, LLANELLI (INDEPENDENT; EBENEZER)”
Leave a Reply Cancel Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
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