History

A Baptist chapel built in 1861 by Rev E Roberts to replace the former Carmel Chapel. In 1910 the porch was added, and the interior was remodelled, by A O Evans, Williams and Evans, architects of Pontypridd. The chapel closed in 1983 but was restored in 1985/6 and reopened as an exhibition and cultural centre.

Exterior

In a simple classical style of coursed, rock-faced stone with freestone dressings and quoins, and slate roof with ventilators. The symmetrical, 3-bay front has round-headed windows with bracket sills, and 2-light cast iron frames of 1910 with horizontal glazing bars and diamond paned heads. The gabled porch in the wider central bay is in neo-Baroque style. It has a gated entrance beneath a round arch with keystone. Rusticated pilasters are inscribed with names of former ministers, above which are entablature swags. Above the porch the central bay has a pair of windows, while the outer bays have single windows. A string course is between the storeys. A bracket cornice defines a pediment, within which is a round-headed recess with bracket sill containing a date stone. Quoins below and string course between floors.

The 3-window side walls have windows similar to the front. On the R side is a round-headed basement doorway with replaced door, and 3 basement windows similar to the remainder except one replaced.

Interior

The interior is converted to exhibition use. It retains its 3-sided gallery with cast iron columns and boarded panel front. The ceiling has a coved cornice and is divided into 4 quadrants with diagonal ribs of painted foliage and boarded bands, and has a central octagon panel. A swept semi-circular arch behind the pulpit frames the organ installed in 1910. The pulpit has a panelled front with flanking balustrades and steps.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for architectural interest as a well-preserved town chapel in a prominent location, and for group value with Pontypridd Bridge and other nearby listed items.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q25331531

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period property manual, victorian house manual 2 books collection set by ian rock