- Nprn: 6428
- Summary: Soar Independent Chapel was built in 1887 and enlarged in 1896. The chapel is a very modest and unassuming building, Sub-Classical in style, with a gable-entry type and half-hipped roof .
RCAHMW, June 2009
A very modest and unassuming building as was very common among poorer congregations and with its half-hipped roof more nearly resembling the old-fashioned early-nineteenth century hipped-box type of chapel design rather than a chapel that seems to have been built in 1887-88. The design is so low-key that what would be the street show-front, on other chapels of this date, is only enhanced by the raised surrounds of openings decorated to the same simple level as those on the sides of the building, possibly applied during the building enlargement of 1896. The simple round-heads of the upper openings, the raised window surrounds, or architraves, and the attached flat columns or pilasters flanking the central door merit the term `Italianate' for the rather minimal decoration applied to this simple and economically-built preaching-box. Despite its modest appearance this building could seat 700, almost an average size for a Llanelli Chapel, although it had the second smallest Schoolroom among Llanelli Chapels, only seating 90 pupils.
Stephen R. Hughes, RCAHMW, 06.09.2007 - Description: A very modest and unassuming building as was very common among poorer congregations and with its half-hipped roof more nearly resembling the old-fashioned early-nineteenth century hipped-box type of chapel design rather than a chapel that seems to have been built in 1887-88. The design is so low-key that what would be the street show-front, on other chapels of this date, is only enhanced by the raised surrounds of openings decorated to the same simple level as those on the sides of the building, possibly applied during the building enlargement of 1896. The simple round-heads of the upper openings, the raised window surrounds, or architraves, and the attached flat columns or pilasters flanking the central door merit the term `Italianate' for the rather minimal decoration applied to this simple and economically-built preaching-box. Despite its modest appearance this building could seat 700, almost an average size for a Llanelli Chapel, although it had the second smallest Schoolroom among Llanelli Chapels, only seating 90 pupils.
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 1887/8 & enlarged 1896. Sub-classical style, gable entry type. The present building dates from 1896. Status (1998): in chapel use.
Soar fach Independent Chapel, 1887-88 & 189627/08/1998 - site visit - G. Watts
Chapel in fairly good condition, small congregation- one Sunday service in the afternoon. Future uncertain.
K.Andrews 20/07/2000 - Built: 1887 Source:Watts, G.
- Date Of Chapel: 1896 Source:
- Enlarged: 1896 Source:Watts, G.
- £ 2055: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 90: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- 700: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- Chapel: 1998 (Blwyddiadur)
- Converted: 2008 childrens play centre (BBC news website)
- Welsh: 27/08/1998 (Site visit - G. Watts)
- Materials
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Sub Classical
- Plan: Gable Entry
Key Details of this Chapel
Key Dates of this Chapel
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: SS50759963
- Address: MARSH STREET/ HICK STREET, LLANELLILLANELLI
2 thoughts on “Soar Welsh Independent Chapel, Marsh St./ Hick St., Llanelli”
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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