- Nprn: 6093
- Cadw Ref: 61/C/29(1)
- Cadw Record No: 7444
- Summary: Alpha Methodist Chapel was first built in 1747 and later extended in 1824. In 1878 the chapel was remodelled with a new Norman style facade, interior gallery and seating. Alpha was rebuilt again in 1903, to the design of the architects, Habershon, Fawkner and Groves of Newport, in Gothic style with a gable entry plan.
RCAHMW, May 2009. - Description: The cause was founded in 1747 by Howell Harris, and a meeting house was built in that year. It was rebuilt or extended in 1824 and then remodelled or rebuilt in 1878. The façade was rebuilt in Norman style to the design of Mr Haddon, Henffordd and a new gallery and seating installed. The chapel was rebuilt again in 1903 to the design of the architects, Habershon, Fawkner and Groves of Newport. The present building dates from 1903 and is Gothic in style, gable entry type. Status (2000): Chapel.
Occupies prominent site overlooking The Groe. Built 1903. By Habershon, Fawkner, and Groves, architects of London and Newport, Mon. Cost ú5400.
Occupies site of 1747 chapel, long held to be the first built under the direction of Howell Harris, hence the appellation "Alpha"; the first permanent society of Welsh Methodism having been founded at Wernos Farmhouse eight miles from Builth.
Snecked bull-nosed local grey stone, contrasting smooth bathstone dressings, purple slate roof with red copings. Free version of late Gothic style with Perpendicular detailing.
Exterior. Long façade faces The Groe (N), gabled entrance front faces W. Unusual tapering tower in grey stone, topped with contrasting bathstone square turrets and pierced screens. Three-light windows in upper stage, horizontal bands and small trefoil windows in cream limestone. 2-light perpendicular window with banding at sill level. Below this, bathstone panel with inscription 'Alpha'. To left of tower, gable to adjoining schoolroom. First floor has square-headed window of 4 trefoiled ogee lights. On ground floor, broad 6-light window with perpendicular style tracery under 3-centred arch. Entrance doorway to school with 3-centred arch and window above set at eaves level. To right of tower, projecting gabled bay has multi-light perpendicular window at first floor level, square-headed window on ground floor. This bay flanked at first floor level by 2-light windows set under eaves with perpendicular tracery and 3-centred heads. One window to left and 2 to right. Ground floor windows square headed with trefoiled ogees. Entrance front has steep gable with sides splayed back to join body of chapel. Gable has bathstone coping and kneelers; in apex, tiny 2-light window with bands, large multiple light perpendicular style window to first floor and shallow porch with 2 square headed doors under 3-centred arch with painted surround and relief decoration including a book inscribed 'Ye Must Be Born Again', and the dates 1747 and 1903. Splays each have bathstone parapets and 2 identical windows consisting of 3 trefoil ogee lights under square heads. Buttresses where splays join body of chapel.
Interior. Entrance doors lead into lobby with pair of wooden stairs to gallery. Lobby divided from
chapel by wooden screen with stained glass. Chapel has high polygonal boarded roof with open trusses supported on iron columns (with bell capitals) rising from gallery. Trusses have pierced decoration in gothic style. Continuous gallery has solid balustrade with gothic panelling round all 4 sides. Gallery steeply banked up to W and E ends. At east end, large organ set in Gothic arch. Wide semi-circular pulpit in 'Set Fawr' enclosure. Varnished pine seating and panelling. Stone font. Interior also includes schoolrooms, vestries and service rooms, making full use of restricted site.
References: Haslam, Powys,p 305.
Morrison, Pictorial History of Builth Wells,pp 30, 74.
Information from Minister, R W J Webb.a - Remodelled: 1878 Source:Davies, D I
- Earlier Building: 1747 Source:Haslam, R.
- Built: 1903 Source:Haslam, R.
- Built: Pre 1800 Source:Religious Census
- Built*: 1747 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Founded: 1747 Source:Davies, D I
- Date Of Chapel: 1903 Source:
- Rebuilt: 1903 Source:Davies, D I
- Rebuilt: 1824 Source:Davies, D I
- Rebuilt(1): 1824 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Rebuilt(2): 1878 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Rebuilt(3): 1903 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Founder: 1747 Howell Harris,
- Founder: 1747 Howell Harris,
- Architect: 1878 Haddon, Henffordd
- £ 5600: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 550: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- 297: 1851 (Religious Census)
- 103: 1851 (Religious Census)
- 100: 1851 Standing (Religious Census)
- Chapel: 2000 (Blwyddiadur)
- Chapel: 2010 (R Scourfield)
- English: 2000 (Blwyddiadur)
- Materials
- Stone
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Storey: Two storey
- Style: Gothic
- Gallery: On Four Sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear Wall
- Window Glazing: Diamond
- 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: SO04055106
- Address: THE STRAND, BUILTH WELLSBUILTH WELLS
2 thoughts on “ALPHA CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHAPEL, THE STRAND, BUILTH WELLS; ALPHA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (ALPHA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH)”
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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