- Nprn: 6431
- Summary: Bethania Baptist Chapel was built in 1850, rebuilt in 1869 and modified in 1887. The present building, dated 1869, is built in the Sub-Classical style and with a gable-entry plan
RCAHMW, June 2009.
Bethania Baptist Chapel, 1869
An economically-built chapel in simplified Italianate style with Bath cut-stone dressings only applied around opening and corners but unusually on the chapel sides to the same extent as the main gable front. The mass-walling is of local Pennant sandstone. All the windows have a simplified form of Florentine tracery but with the capping circular opening replaced by a vertical bar to the top of the arch, a common variant to the original Italian prototypes as used in chapel architecture. The arched-Venetian window over the central doorway has again been modified from the usual form with a higher springing to the central arch so that all three arches are not greatly different in height. In the centre of the open gable, which lacks the pediment base running across at wall-height found in more elaborate Llanelli chapels, is an oval date and name plaque of common Llanelli type but lacking the elegant proportions of those used elsewhere. In a final confusion of styles is the gothic quatrefoil attic ventilator in the apex of the gable. The 1905 nonconformist statistics reveal that this chapel had an average 800 seating capacity in 1905 with a fairly large Sunday School provision of 350. The congregation also had a caretaker's house attached.
Stephen R. Hughes, RCAHMW, 06.09.2007 - Description: Church formed & chapel built 1869/70, although earlier church built 1850. Rebuilt/modified 1887. Present building style is sub-classical, long-wall entry type. Status (1998): in chapel use.
In a good state of repair. Plans drawn up for extension to schoolroom to provide better kitchen facilities and indoor toilets. Chapel: new central heating system installed. Chapel House: exterior walls have been replastered and new flat roof to kitchen (information of 06/07/1998 from Mr Gareth Watts and Mr Gwyn Morgans).
Bethania Baptist Chapel, 1869
An economically-built chapel in simplified Italianate style with Bath cut-stone dressings only applied around opening and corners but unusually on the chapel sides to the same extent as the main gable front. The mass-walling is of local Pennant sandstone. All the windows have a simplified form of Florentine tracery but with the capping circular opening replaced by a vertical bar to the top of the arch, a common variant to the original Italian prototypes as used in chapel architecture. The arched-Venetian window over the central doorway has again been modified from the usual form with a higher springing to the central arch so that all three arches are not greatly different in height. In the centre of the open gable, which lacks the pediment base running across at wall-height found in more elaborate Llanelli chapels, is an oval date and name plaque of common Llanelli type but lacking the elegant proportions of those used elsewhere. In a final confusion of styles is the gothic quatrefoil attic ventilator in the apex of the gable. The 1905 nonconformist statistics reveal that this chapel had an average 800 seating capacity in 1905 with a fairly large Sunday School provision of 350. The congregation also had a caretaker's house attached.
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. - Built: 1850 Source:Jones, Anthony
- Church Formed: 1870 Source:Llawlyfr 1998
- Date Of Chapel: 1869 Source:
- Dated [built?]: 1869 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Modified: 1887 Source:
- £ 3200: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 800: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- 350: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- Chapel: 1998 (Llawlyfr)
- Chapel: 2011 (Denominational website)
- Welsh: 06/07/1998 (Site visit - Gareth Watts)
- Materials
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Sub Classical
- Gallery: On three sides
- Plan: Long-wall entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear wall
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: SS51479877
- Address: CORNISH PLACE/ GLANDAFEN ROAD, MORFA, LLANELLILLANELLI
2 thoughts on “Bethania Baptist Church, Cornish Place/glandafen Rd., Morfa, 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