- Nprn: 8993
- Cadw Ref: 84/B/9(2)
- Cadw Record No: 11744
- Summary: Tabernacle Independent Chapel in Treforys is perhaps the most ambitious grand chapel in Wales and is able to seat 1,480 people. It was built between 1870-72, to the design of architect John Humpreys of Morriston, in the Classical style with a gable-entry plan. Tabernacle has been called 'The Cathedral of Welsh Nonconformity' but was originally known as the New Libanus Chapel. Externally, the stone built chapel has round-headed windows with tracery glazing and an integral tower. The magnificent interior includes a shallow elliptical ceiling with ribs on polygonal corbels and elaborate panelling. There are intruded corners to the front staircases and a continuous gallery with a balustrade supported on iron columns, stencilled decoration to the coving and a boarded front surmounted by filigree work. The organ, set to the rear of the chapel, has a Gothic case and further detached banks of organ pipes which reach to the ceiling. Tabernacle is now Grade 1 Listed for its 'striking exterior presence and virtually unaltered interior and fittings'.
RCAHMW, November 2010 - Description: Chapel built 1872. Built in the Classical style, gable entry type. A prominent feature of this Chapel is the integral tower. See Site Files [Ecclesiastical] for photos. Status (1993): in chapel use.
Tabernacle chapel, Treforys is perhaps the most ambitious grand chapel in Wales able to seat 3,000. Built in 1870-72 in the Classical style, it has been called The Cathedral of Welsh Nonconformity. It was originally known as New Libanus Chapel. The magnificent interior includes shallow elliptical ceiling with ribs on polygonal corbels and elaborate panelling. There are intruded corners to the front staircases and a continuous gallery with balustrade supported on iron columns with crocketed capitals; stencilled decoration to coving and a boarded front surmounted by filigree work. The organ to the rear has a Gothic case and further detached banks of organ pipes which reach to the ceiling. There is a basement schoolroom.
Sources: CADW listed buildings database; T.J. Hughes, Waless Best One Hundred Churches, 2006. - Built: 1872 Source:RCCEORBWM
- Built: 1870-1872 Source:Cadw
- Built: 1870-1872 Source:Cadw
- Date Of Chapel: 1872 Source:RCAHMW
- Architect: 1870-1872 John Humphreys, Morriston
- Builder: 1870-1872 Daniel Edwards, Morriston
- £ 18000: 1996 (Jones, Anthony)
- £ 15250: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- 1450: 1905 Sittings (RCCEORBWM)
- 915: 1905 Accomodation (RCCEORBWM)
- Chapel: 1993 (Site visit - INW)
- Chapel: 01/2011 (RCAHMW visit)
- Welsh: 1905 (RCCEORBWM)
- Materials
- Stone
- Monument Type: CHAPEL
- Form: Building
- Storey: Two Storey
- Style: Classical
- Gallery: On four sides
- Plan: Gable Entry
- Pulpit Position: Rear Wall
- Window Glazing: Tracery
- 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: SS66959782
- Address: WOODFIELD STREET; CROWN STREET, TREFORYS; MORRISTON
2 thoughts on “TABERNACLE WELSH INDEPENDENT CHAPEL (NEW LIBANUS CHAPEL), WOODFIELD STREET; CROWN STREET, TREFORYS; (NEW LIBANUS CHAPEL)”
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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