History

1840-1 Independent chapel, branch of Y Drewen, Cwm Cou. Altered 1870 and restored 1981. Original design was by John Jones, carpenter, of Ffynnonddwrgi Fawr, copying plan of Newcastle Emlyn Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. Built by John Jones with Thomas Lodge and D. Davies, masons. Later 1840s gallery and pulpit by two sons of John Jones. Reroofed 1870 and front probably stuccoed then, windows renewed 1935. In 1981 stucco was removed.

Exterior

Rubble stone with slate hipped roof, paired brackets to eaves. Rectangular plan with lateral facade of two long arched centre windows, outer cambered-headed doors with traceried overlights and, not aligned, outer arched gallery lights. Small arched centre plaque, `Bethesda Chapel was build in the year 1840'. All openings have cut stone voussoirs. Windows have plain timber Y-tracery. Framed ledged doors. Two-storey, one-window sides and two-window rear, 6-pane sashes above, 12-pane below, recessed stone voussoirs and keystones.

Front railings on low coped wall, two centre slate piers with iron gates. Cilgerran stone pyramid-capped outer piers.

Interior

Five-sided timber gallery with painted grained panelled front on four marbled timbered columnns. Vertical panelling over moulded cornice. Pulpit with arched panels to front and curving steps each side, turned newel finials. Painted grained box-pews and great seat. Later C19 boarded flat ceiling with dividing ribs.

Reasons for Listing

A good example of the late Georgian to early Victorian chapel, with good fittings.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29495525

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

• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)