History in Structure

Bethania Chapel

A Grade II Listed Building in Coedffranc (Coed-ffranc), Neath Port Talbot

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.6597 / 51°39'34"N

Longitude: -3.8486 / 3°50'54"W

OS Eastings: 272232

OS Northings: 197276

OS Grid: SS722972

Mapcode National: GBR H1.6LP6

Mapcode Global: VH4K5.7KS0

Plus Code: 9C3RM552+VH

Entry Name: Bethania Chapel

Listing Date: 29 March 2000

Last Amended: 29 March 2000

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 23063

Building Class: Religious, Ritual and Funerary

Also known as: Bethania Independent Chapel

ID on this website: 300023063

Location: Set back from and above the road behind a grassed forecourt with railings to the street.

County: Neath Port Talbot

Community: Coedffranc (Coed-ffranc)

Community: Coedffranc

Locality: Skewen

Built-Up Area: Neath

Traditional County: Glamorgan

Tagged with: Chapel

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History

Built in 1907 by Lloyd & Martyn, architects of Swansea. The contractor was Ogley David & Sons. The present organ was installed in 1935.

Exterior

A free-style chapel of coursed rock-faced sandstone with red sandstone dressings, and a slate roof. The 3-bay front has a deep moulded sill band below the round-headed upper windows. Below this level the angle pilasters are rusticated, while above this level they are panelled. A pair of doorways to the centre have round heads and double doors with fielded panels under Y-tracery overlights. In the wide jamb between these doorways is an engraved foundation tablet. The outer bays have 2-light stone-mullioned windows under flat heads. At the upper level the windows are 2-light with wooden mullions and circles with radial glazing forming tracery lights. They comprise single windows in the outer bays and a triple window to the centre. The pedimented gable is defined by a red-sandstone band acting as the cornice. A blind oculus is engraved 'Bethania 1907' and is bisected by a full-width inscription band reading 'Addoldy yr Annibynwyr'.

The roughcast R side wall is 5-window and has segmental-headed windows at the lower level and round-headed windows above, all replaced in original openings. The L side wall is similar but retains its original wooden glazing bars. The rear has a narrow and shallow lean-to in the centre and a lean-to on its L side against the rear wall of the chapel, that incorporates a boarded door.

Interior

The vestibule has a 3-light panel opposite the main doorway with foliage in coloured glass. The same motif is repeated in half-lit double doors that lead into the main chapel. This has a ceiling panelled with heavy ribs, decorated with 3 ceiling roses, and with a moulded cornice. The windows have shafts to the rere arches. A 3-sided raked gallery is carried on tapering cast iron columns, the upper half of which are fluted, and foliage capitals. The gallery front has cast iron panels with blind key and foliage friezes. The gallery returns on the 4th side behind the pulpit but does not continue the full width. The organ is placed here between fluted pilasters and a moulded lintel. Moulded balusters are to the front of the organ recess. Vestry doors with fielded panels flank the pulpit. The pulpit is square with 3 round-headed panels flanked by shafts with shaft rings. The flanking steps have elaborate and large moulded balusters and newels. Behind the pulpit is a reredos of fielded panels. The set fawr has a back with fielded panels. Numbered pews have moulded ends.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for architectural interest as a well-designed Edwardian chapel with a fine internal gallery and other fittings.

External Links

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

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II Hermon Chapel
    Set back behind a railed forecourt facing N to an unmetalled road on the W side of Winifred Road.
  • II New Road Methodist Church
    Facing New Road (A4230) towards the W side of Skewen village.
  • II New Road Overbridge
    In Skewen, on New Road, near its junction with Dynevor Way and Railway Terrace/Brookville Drive.
  • II Milestone on N side of A4230
    Set back on the N side of New Road S of its junction with Railway Terrace/Brookville Drive and on the N side of a railway overbridge.
  • II Tabernacle Chapel Hall
    Situated directly opposite Tabernacle Chapel.
  • II Tabernacle Chapel
    Facing the street running from the S side of the A4230 through the village.
  • II Horeb Chapel
    Centrally located in the village facing the main A4230; Bethlehem Road to rear.
  • II Gorphwysfa Chapel
    Set back from the street behind forecourt gates and railings W of the junction with Drymau Road.

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