- Nprn: 6005
- Cadw Ref: (WO)6/384
- Cadw Record No: 6953
- Summary: Bethel Chapel was built in 1852 to the design of the surveyor, Watkins, of Llangorse. Bethel became disused as a chapel from 1980 when the congregation merged with Brecon Presbyterian Church in The Watton (NPRN:6007), but the shell has been retained, as part of the Bethel Square re-development of shops, and the panelled ceiling remains. Built in the Sub-Classical style, of the short-wall entry type, the chapel has stone walls and a slate hipped roof. The stone flags in the passage to Bethel Chapel, through the Arch, form part of [Welsh Office] Grade II Listing 6/378.The dwarf wall, railings and gates in the forecourt to Bethel Chapel form Grade II Cadw [Welsh Office] Listing 6/385.
RCAHMW, 15 May 2009. - Description: Built in 1852 to the design of the surveyor, Watkins, of Llangorse; opened? in 1853. Disused as a chapel from 1980 when the congregation merged with Brecon Presbyterian Church in The Watton (NPRN:6007). Still disused in 11/1994. Built in the Sub-Classical style, short-wall entry type. See Site Files [Ecclesiastical] for photos. Status (2000): other (chemist's shop & stores).
Shell of chapel retained as part of Bethel Square redevelopement (NPRN 25078). Panelled ceiling remains.Grade II Listed Building. Cadw Ref 3/384
n 1780 Lady Huntingdon built a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in The Struet (WSK Thomas, Georgian & Victorian Brecon (1993). The rebuilt chapel of 1820 became too small (Ibid). Land at The Old Lion site was purchased and Capel Bethel was built in 1852 (CPAT; RCAHMW) to the design of the surveyor, Watkins, of Llangorse (CPAT); opened? On 22 &23 February 1853 (BCS/ BGC). Disused as a chapel from 1980 when the congregation merged with Brecon Presbyterian Church in The Watton (NPRN:6007). Still disused in 11/1994 (CPAT).
Former Calvanistic Methodist Chapel, disused since 1980 when chapel merged with The Watton.
Original main entrance through "Bethel Arch" on Lion St., a carriage arch set into street plan.
Chapel exterior is visible in part from Municipal Car Park. Chapel remains totally gutted within an area of derelict property with no access, for which development plans have been submitted.
Large auditorium chapel with classical and gothic features, masonry built in 1852. Designed by Watkins of Llangorse, a surveyor.
Slate roof is hipped over the main façade, to facilitate porch extention. Gable end to rear.
Main façade - SW gable end. Single circular window above a gable ended porch with classical pediment. Two longitudinal 18-pane transomed gothic windows to L & R of main façade. Fenestration echoed centre bay, flanked by entrance doors. Originally pair of double panelled doors with semi-circular lights.
Classical columns support pediment. Classical columns form pilasters to L & R of main façade.
NE - rear elevation. Single square aperture with boarded front in apex of gable end. 1st floor - two 12-paned transomed windows with stone headers. Ground floor - two entrance doors to extreme L & R. Rectangular t & g doors with gothic tracery in semi-circular heads, set in stone archways.
SE & NW elevations. Three 18-paned, single 15-pane @ single 12-pane longitudinal transomed arched windowss, set in stone quoins, gothic tracery heads.
No access to interior.
Some fittings removed to The Watton 1980s.
The dwarf wall, railings and gates in the forecourt to Bethel Chapel form Grade II Cadw [Welsh Office] Listing 6/385.
The stone flaga in the passage to Bethel Chapel through the Arch form part of [Welsh Office] Grade II Listing 6/378.
Above report by CPAT, of 14/11/1994. - Built: c.1850 Source:Welsh Office (1976)
- Built: 1852 Source:Welsh Office (1958)
- Built: 1852 Source:Parkinson, A.J.
- Built: 1852 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Closed: 1980 Source:
- Date Of Chapel: 1852 Source:
- : 1980 Source:14/11/1994
- Converted: 2000 Source:
- Surveyor: 1852 Watkins, Llangorse
- £ 1800: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 700: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- 800: 16/12/1976 Seating (Welsh Office)
- Converted: Autumn 2000 Chemist shop (Capel Newsletter 36)
- Materials
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Mixed
- Plan: Square
- Window Glazing: Intersecting
- 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
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
Images from Coflein
Map
- Grid Reference: SO04572863
- Address: BETHEL SQUARE, LION STREET, BRECONBRECON
2 thoughts on “Bethel Chapel (calvinistic Methodist), Bethel Square, Lion Street, Brecon”
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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