- Nprn: 6439
- Cadw Ref: 24/A/82(2)
- Cadw Record No: 11967
- Summary: Seion Welsh Baptist Chapel was completed 1857-8 by Henry Rogers of Llanelli. It is built from squared rubble stone with extensive blue lias ashlar dressings. It has a pedimented Italianate Classical front with Tuscan pillars, plan cornice and pediment with an oval plaque inscribed 'Zion Baptist Chapel 1857'. The two-storey building has three bays to the front, the upper windows being arch-headed with moulded arches and keystones. The side elevations are plain, with sash windows, four to the west, three to the east, where the fourth bay is blocked by an attached house. Inside, the three-side panelled gallery dating from 1929 is preserved, supported on iron columns, together with original box pews. The organ recess is framed by Corinthian columns, The flat boarded ceiling is divided into panels by transverse and diagonal ribs and has central roses.
Source: Cadw Listed Buildings Record
K Steele, RCAHMW, 13 February 2009
In 2010, planning permission was granted to convert the building into a theatre and community based development, comprising the chapel, its adjoining Sunday School, and the nearby Stepney Hotel.
Carmarthenshire Planning Office website, 2010 - Description: Church formed 1813 & first chapel built 1823; rebuilt/modified 1838 & again 1858 in Classical style, gable entry type, to the design of Henry Rogers of Llanelli. Rebuilt/modified again 1875 & 1902. Forecourt railings ca. 1913; 4th gallery front added 1924 & an organ & set fawr ?1929. Building is listed Grade 2. The Sunday School, to William Griffiths's design, is of 1911-13. Status (1998): in chapel use.
...by Henry Rogers of Llanelli ...."clearly by the same hand as Greenfield, pedimented with long windows, soberand dignified. Inside, galleries on 4 sides, the 4th added only in 1924. Total immersion font built under the pulpit. The big 1913 schools next door are by W Griffiths, evidence of the scale of chapel activity" (extract from Julian Orbach's programme notes for the Victorian Society's visit to Llanelli, 22 June, 1991).
Although the form "Zion" appears on the building, it has always been known as Seion, and is a Welsh Church. Chapel in good condition
Schoolroom is a large and impressive building, originally with a gallery on three sides, with ground floor partitioned off into classrooms. Side galleries then removed, after fire. Recently a new suspended ceiling installed - ground floor only, in use, with rear gallery turned into a storeroom (information of 20/7/1998 from Mr Gareth Watts). - Gallery, Organ, Set Fawr: 1929 Source:Cadw
- 4th Gallery: 1924 Source:Orbach, Julian
- Built: 1857-1858 Source:Cadw
- Built: 1857-1858 Source:Cadw
- Built: 1821 Source:Religious Census
- Built: 1858 Source:Orbach, Julian
- Built?: 1813 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Church Formed: 1813 Source:Llawlyfr 1998
- Date Of Chapel: 1857 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Forecourt Railings: c.1913 Source:Cadw
- Enlarged: 1822 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Rebuilt: 1838 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Dated: 1857 Source:Cadw (plaque)
- Schoolroom: 1913 Source:Watts, Gareth
- Big Schools: 1913 Source:Orbach, Julian
- Sunday School: 1911-1913 Source:Cadw
- Contractor: 1857-1858 John Powell, Llanelli
- Architect: 1857-1858 Henry Rogers, Llanelli
- Architect: 1858 Henry Rogers, Llanelli
- Architect: 1913 William Griffiths, Llanelli
- Architect: 1911-1913 William Griffiths, Llanelli
- £ 7450: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 670: 1851 (Religious Census)
- 1334: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- 625: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- 130: 1851 (Religious Census)
- Chapel: 1998 (Llawlyfr)
- Converted: 15/10/2010 Theatre and community based development. (Carmarthenshire Planning Office)
- Welsh: 1998 (Llawlyfr)
- Materials
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Style: Classical
- Gallery: On four sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear wall
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: SN50930052
- Address: UPPER PARK STREET, LLANELLILLANELLI
2 thoughts on “SEION WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH (ZION; SION), UPPER PARK STREET, LLANELLI (ZION; SION)”
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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