- Nprn: 6420
- Summary: Capel-y-Doc Chapel was built in 1867, in the Classical style of the gable entry type, to the design of architect John Humphreys of Morriston. This is an important example of Humphreys early work and features a large arch in the facade. By 1998 the chapel had fallen into disuse.
RCAHMW, June 2009 - Description: Chapel built 1867-8 in Classical style, gable entry type, to the design of John Humphreys of Morristown. A prominent feature of this Chapel is the large arch in the facade. Current status (1998): disused
Capel-y-Doc Independent 1867
This was an important early work by John Humphrey, designer of the most impressive chapel in Wales, Tabernacle at Morriston, and its namesake at Llanelli. At Capel-y-Doc Humphrey copied another eminent architect of the Independents, Thomas Thomas, in using a recessed great-arch as the centrepiece of the main show-front of the chapel, the side-walls were rendered and very plain. The 1860s `great-arch' chapels of Humphrey can be distinguished from those of Thomas by their use of twin windows and doors set within the great-arch as here, rather than Thomas's characteristic use of an arched Venetian window set over the door-level (as at Ebenezer) with a single doorway under. The seated capacity of the chapel in 1905 was recorded as 700, near the average for Llanelli, although its schoolroom's provision for 200 pupils was fairly small for the town.
Entry by Stephen R. Hughes 06.09.2007 using the following main sources: the Capel Newsletter 34 (Autumn 1999), Capel Local Information Sheet 16 on Llanelli; T. Lloyd, J. Orbach & R. Scourfield, The Buildings of Wales, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion (Yale, New Haven & The Buildings of Wales) 2006 & chapels on The Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales database at www.coflein.gov.uk & Royal Commission on the Church of England and other Religious Bodies in Wales and Monmouthshire, Volume VI, Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence Nonconformist County Statistics 1911, Carmarthenshire (collected 1905), (London, HMSO) 1911, p.82 & Stephen Hughes, 'Thomas Thomas, 1817-88: the first national architect of Wales', Archaeologia Cambrensis 152 (2003), pp. 69-166
Chapel built 1867-8 in Classical style, gable entry type, to the design of John Humphreys of Morristown. A prominent feature of this Chapel is the large arch in the façade. Current status (1998): disused
. Date of present building 1867-8.
A large/medium chapel with seating for 750. It is a gable-end chapel with a façade built in the 'vernacular Romanesque' typical of chapels in the Llanelli area. It is constructed of squared rubble, the pediment in the front elevation is interrupted by a shallow recessed arch containing two round-headed doors at ground floor level with keystone surrounds over which is a plaque inscribed 'Dock Chapel 1851'. Above this is a two light window, both lights having round-heads with keystones and containing 3-over 12-paned casements. Flanking the arch at lower level are two segmental-headed window openings with stone voussoirs and 12-pane sashes, over which are round-headed window openings with similar voussirs and 3-panes over 12-pane sashes. In the apex of the gable is a circular opening. Side elevation has four lower segmental-headed windows similar to those on the front elevation, with four round-headed windows above.
Internally the ground floor has twin aisles. The sedd-fawr has a curved front complimented by curved wing stairs to the pulpit and curved side pews either side of the dais. The stairs access a four-sided gallery. The end section is occupied by an organ, said to be the first in Llanelli, and fronted with panelled wood. The other three sides have attractive fronts of pierced ironwork. There is an unusually wide and flattened 'halo' arch which echoes the contour of the ceiling.
(based on comments from DJP and photographs) S Fielding RCAHMW 23/05/2005
The schoolroom was demolished many years ago for safety reasons.
The Chapel itself in a very poor condition with large cracks apearing in the walls.
One of the first pipe organs in Llanelli but now riddled with dry rot.
A membership of no more than 12. Probably one of the next chapels in Llanelli forced to close its doors.
A new roof was installed in last year at a cost of œ14,000. Lloyd Street Congregational Chapel was sold by the same cause.
(Notes of 6/7/1998 by Mr Gareth Watts).
This is significant for being the first great chapel arch in a gable design by the well knowen chapel architect John Humphrey - Foundation Stone Laid: 24/08/1867 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Date Of Chapel: 1867 Source:
- Sunday School Demolished: 06/07/1998 Source:Site visit - Gareth Watts
- Chapel Closure: 2000 Source:Capel Newsletter 36
- Architect: 24/08/1867 John Humphries, Morriston
- £ 2450: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 200: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- 750: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- Disused: Autumn 2000 Closed (Capel Newsletter 36)
- Welsh: 06/07/1998 (Site visit - Gareth Watts)
- Materials
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Classical
- Gallery: On three sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear wall
- Window Glazing: Small Pane
- 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
The Languages of the Chapel during its History
Key Characteristics of this Chapel
Images from Coflein
Map
- Grid Reference: SS51249889
- Address: CHAPEL STREET, MORFA, LLANELLILLANELLI
2 thoughts on “DOC,Y, INDEPENDENT CHAPEL (DOCS/DOCKS), CHAPEL STREET, MORFA, LLANELLI (DOCS/ DOCKS)”
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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