- Nprn: 6342
- Cadw Record No: 11168
- Summary: Old Bethel Chapal was first built in 1773, though the current building dates to the rebuilding of 1825/6. It is in the simple Gothic style, built from whitewashed rubble stone with a slate roof over. It is a long-wall entry type, with a simple balanced front with a pair of pointed-arched windows in the centre with doorways right and left, and smaller pointed-arched windows to the gallery stairs at either end. The windows have Y-tracery hears with small panes below.
The chapel is an exceptionally well-preserved example, retaining its contemporary furnishings, rendering it one of the last early nineteenth century interiors to survive unaltered in South Wales. It has a stone flagged floor, and flat whitewashed six-bay ceiling with visible soffits of the tie beams. The gallery is supported by cast-iron columns and later supports, which replace original timber peris. The fireplace opposite the pulpit on the long wall has a raised iron fire-basket set flush in a whitewashed brickwork surround.
Source: Cadw Listed Building Record
K Steele, RCAHMW, 13 February 2009 - Description: Chapel built 1773; largely rebuilt 1825/6 in simple gothic style, long-wall entry type, retaining contemporary furnishings & one of the last early-C19 interiors to survive unaltered in S. W. Wales. Associated with Methodist Minister, Rev. Peter Williams. Building is listed Grade 2*. Status (1998): in chapel use.
Main exterior walls of random rubble stone walling unrendered. Roof of timber framing clad with Welsh slate. Heating provided by an open coal fire but no electric or gas lighting systems exist. One service each year conducted by candle light. Chapel belongs to New Bethel WI Chapel, Garnant. Notes by I D Jones 24/12/1997.
"A very rare example in the region that retains its contemporary furnishings, and has one of the last early C19 interiors to survive unaltered in S W Wales" (information from Cadw list description of 09/01/1998). - Built: 1773 Source:Religious Census
- Built: 1773 Source:Cadw (1998; plaque)
- Dated: 1773 Source:Cadw (1991; plaque)
- Date Of Chapel: 1825 Source:
- Largely Rebuilt: 1825 Source:Cadw
- 650: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- 1500: 1851 Standing (Religious Census)
- 500: 1851 (Religious Census)
- Chapel: 09/01/1998 (Cadw/ Blwyddiadur)
- Chapel: 2011 (Blwyddiadur)
- Welsh: 24/12/1997 (Site visit - I D Jones)
- Materials
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Simple Gothic
- Plan: Long-wall Entry
Key Details of this Chapel
Key Dates of this Chapel
Capacities during this Chapels History
Changes of Status its History
The Languages of the Chapel during its History
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
4 thoughts on “HEN FETHEL WELSH INDEPENDENT CHAPEL (OLD BETHEL), GARNANT (OLD BETHEL)”
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A sketch included in the book Braslun o Hanes Pontarddulais a’r cylch gan E. Lewis Evans (Gomer 1949) . Here it still has it’s long wall facade!
Further info can be found here
http://www.cwmammanhistory.co.uk/Amman_Valley_History/pages/Hen_Bethel.html
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