- Nprn: 6002
- Cadw Ref: (WO)6 & 8/410
- Cadw Record No: 6945
- Summary: The Plough Chapel, Brecon, formerly the Welsh Congregational Chapel, had one of the earliest independent chapel congregations in mid-Wales, dating back to 1699, and taking its name from the house in which early meetings took place. The chapel occupies a town centre site with coloured flagstone forecourt and low wall fronting Lion St. The original chapel foundations on this site date from the late 17th century. The existing chapel was built in 1841 in classical style, on the former chapel garden. Major rebuilding work was undertaken in 1892 by Benjamin Jenkins, local builder. The chapel has a rectangular plan and a triple gable slate roof with ridge tiles - re-roofed 1980s. There is a pedimented porch with two flanking bays added in 1892 as part of a rebuild; to the design of architect Owen Morris Roberts. The entrance is supported by a single cast-iron column and two engaged columns merging with front walls of porch, with decorative wrought ironwork. A balcony round all four sides of chapel is supported on fluted iron columns; the balcony frontal has arcading with floral relief decoration. There are arched panels flanked by ebonised columns and a clock and large pipe organ. There is a high stone wall forming the rear boundary of the chapel which reputedly follows the line of the old medieval town wall.
Sorces: CADW listed buildings database; Hughes, T. J.; Wales's Best One Hundred Churches, 2006.
RCAHMW, 9 November 2007 - Description: The cause was formed & site licensed in 1699; a chapel was built or rebuilt in 1728-33. Further rebuilding or extension took place in 1817 & 1841. Rebuilt again 1893-6, to the design of the Porthmadog architect, Owen Morris Roberts. Built in the Sub-Classical style, gable entry type. See Site Files [Ecclesiastical] for photos. Present status [2001] : chapel. The chapel is a Grade II Cadw Listed Building, ref.no. 6 & 8/410.
Formerly the Welsh Congregational Chapel, occupying a town centre site with coloured flagstone forecourt and low wall fronting Lion St. Original chapel foundations on this site date from late C17. Existing chapel built 1841 in classical style, on former chapel garden. Major rebuilding work undertaken in 1892 by Benjamin Jenkins, local builder.
Rectangular plan. Gable slate roof with ridge tiles - re-roofed 1980s.
Masonry walls - pebble dashed with plain rendered detailing.
Three rendered elevations.
Main façade - SW elevation - gable end. Classical triangular pediment with blind arcading in tympanum. Terracotta balustrade and finials to either side.
Three round headed classical sash windows with margin lights at gallery level set in moulded heads with keystones, and moulded pilasters. Recessed panel above centre window.
Ground level - Pedimented porch with two flanking bays added 1892. Triple gable slated roof. Entrance supported by single cast-iron column and two engaged columns merging with front walls of porch, with decorative wrought ironwork. Two heavy wooden doors lead into side bays of porch. Double round headed small 8-pane sash windows set in moulded architraves with keystones and moulded pillasters fronting each bay. A repetative pattern of terracotta tiles in porch pediments. Recess for clock in centre tympanum of porch.
Platbands beneath fenestration.
NW lateral elevation - 1st floor and ground floor fenestration - three rectangular sash windows, 16 panes with margin lights.
Rear elevation - slate hipped roof to vestry, probably an 1892 addition. Three ground floor 8-paned sashes with margin lights and single 16-pane sash to 1st floor. Rear 1st floor of main chapel- two classical round headed windows, 8-pane sashes with margin lights.
High stone wall forming rear boundary of chapel reputedly follows the line of the old medieval town wall and forms part of Grade II Cadw Listing 6/411.
Nos 1 & 2 Lion St. adjoin SE wall, reputedly built 1882-3 by Benjamin Jenkins. Pair of classical terraced houses, adjoining house, No.1 is now the Chapel House (PRN 19855). Georgian doorway. Chapel House is rendered with slate roof and chimney. Three rows of fenestration include five sash windows front Lion St. Three long 8-pane sashes on 1st floor face chapel courtyard. Two small windows at ground level.
Interior. Entrance porch leads into side halls with encaustic tiled floors - stairs lead up to gallery on either side. Two wallut panelled doors lead into main chapel from either side.
Interior walls plastered above dado panelling. Windows set in moulded architrave with scrolled brackets.
Herringbone wood-block floor.
Wooden ceiling with classical circular motifs.
Painted glass window to front porch, donated 1966, portrays plough, ploughman and two oxen.
1841 seating capacity reputedly 700, reduced to 550 by 1890s alterations. Two aisles separate numbered box pews with doors, gently raked. Pews are longitudinally aligned to either side of sedd fawr.
Sedd fawr occupies central position on opposing gable end to entrance halls.
Rectangular decorative wood panelled enclosure with rounded corners and wood-block flooring. Bench seating part of panelling, loose chairs for ministers and modern communion table.
Curving balustraded stairs lead up to either side of pulpit from sedd fawr.
Semi-octagonal pulpit. Classical highly decorative walnut floral panels and pilasters echo sedd fawr and gallery decorations.
Curved full gallery runs four sides of chapel supported by cast iron columns. Clock, manufactured in Brecon inserted in centre panel has Roman numerals.
Gallery pews - pitch pine panelled benches, raked, numbered.
Organ - directly above pulpit and choir stalls. Organ is built into gallery, dates 1897 "Ingram @ Co. Hereford, Edinburgh & London." Organ installed at a cost of œ355 during 1890s alterations. Exposed pipes over panelled case.
Two doors lead out of gallery from either side of organ loft. Stairs lead down to rear hallway with red and black quarry tiles and entrance doors to chapel.
Ministers' Vestry - adjoining NE wall of chapel. Plastered walls, herringbone woodblock floor. Victorian cast iron grate. Highly decorative blue and white ware toilet. Walnut panelled door leads into chapel. Two sash windows to SE wall. Original chapel datestone and several other chapel memorial stones are located on the walls.
Above report by CPAT - Restored: 1897 Source:
- Built: 1841 Source:Plaque
- Built*: 1699 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Built: 1780A Source:Religious Census
- Built: 1728 Source:Parkinson, A.J.
- Founded: 1699 Source:Plaque
- Founded: 1680A Source:Welsh Office
- Cause Established: 1699 Source:UR Church 2001 Yr Bk
- Site Licensed: 01/11/1699 Source:Chapel History
- Rebuilt: 1892 Source:Welsh Office
- Rebuilt: 1895 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Rebuilt: 1893-1896 Source:Vic Soc visit
- Rebuilt(2): 1817 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Rebuilt(3): 1841 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Rebuilt(4): 1893-1896 Source:Parkinson, A.J.
- Opened After Rebuilding: 12/1841 Source:Welsh Office
- Date Of Chapel: 1895 Source:NLW Freer Collection
- Architect: 1893-1896 Owen Morris Roberts, Porthmadog
- £ 5000: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 900: 1851 (Religious Census)
- 650: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- Chapel: 1998 (Blwyddiadur)
- Chapel: 3/12/2010 (Denominational website)
- Materials
- Rendered
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Storey: Two Storey
- Style: Sub Classical
- Gallery: On three sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear Wall
- Window Glazing: Margin
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
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
Images from Coflein
Map
- Grid Reference: SO04642850
- Address: LION STREET, BRECONBRECON
3 thoughts on “PLOUGH WELSH INDEPENDENT CHAPEL AND UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, LION STREET, BRECON (WELSH CONGREGATIONAL; URC)”
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Capel Y Plough
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