1. The History
First report of the New Year. Not too much history about this small chapel.
Located on the A458 between Welshpool and Mallwyd, near Foel, Powys, this small chapel was constructed in 1805. It was then knocked down and rebuilt in 1843. Large enough to house 100 parishioners, it was built in the ‘Vernacular’ style with a long-wall entry plan and small pane flat-headed windows. Its name is possibly taken from the ancient city of Beersheba in modern day Israel. Attached to the chapel is a small clergy 'house' which acted as the residence of the church’s serving minister.
In 2002, the chapel closed as a place of worship due to the decline in congregational numbers. Since then, it has been left to fall into a state of disrepair and dereliction.
2. The Explore
So with Plan A to explore the Bethlehem Welsh Independent Chapel at Mawddwy (see @Lavino and his excellent report HERE ) out of the window due to it being all sealed up...
....Plan B came into operation: Capel Beerseeba to the east. Thank you to @dansgas1000 for putting this one on my radar (their excellent report is HERE ). After driving 20 or so minutes, I arrived at the chapel. The biggest challenge was finding a place to park that wasn’t less than a mile away. It’s very small and photogenic and was a very easy in once parked up and an enjoyable and relaxed mini-mooch.
3. The Pictures
Shot from the road:
A broken window:
A peek through the window:
And a few externals:
This plaque dates back to 1923:
First, a quick look in the clergy house:
On to the single room chapel itself:
Creepers at the window:
Plenty of pews:
The early 19th century organ, made by W. Bell & Co:
Note: “Lw cariad yw” translates as “It is the oath of love”.
Old prayer book:
View from the pulpit:
And saying a quick prayer for the sheep that has now left us:
That’s all folks!
First report of the New Year. Not too much history about this small chapel.
Located on the A458 between Welshpool and Mallwyd, near Foel, Powys, this small chapel was constructed in 1805. It was then knocked down and rebuilt in 1843. Large enough to house 100 parishioners, it was built in the ‘Vernacular’ style with a long-wall entry plan and small pane flat-headed windows. Its name is possibly taken from the ancient city of Beersheba in modern day Israel. Attached to the chapel is a small clergy 'house' which acted as the residence of the church’s serving minister.
In 2002, the chapel closed as a place of worship due to the decline in congregational numbers. Since then, it has been left to fall into a state of disrepair and dereliction.
2. The Explore
So with Plan A to explore the Bethlehem Welsh Independent Chapel at Mawddwy (see @Lavino and his excellent report HERE ) out of the window due to it being all sealed up...
....Plan B came into operation: Capel Beerseeba to the east. Thank you to @dansgas1000 for putting this one on my radar (their excellent report is HERE ). After driving 20 or so minutes, I arrived at the chapel. The biggest challenge was finding a place to park that wasn’t less than a mile away. It’s very small and photogenic and was a very easy in once parked up and an enjoyable and relaxed mini-mooch.
3. The Pictures
Shot from the road:
A broken window:
A peek through the window:
And a few externals:
This plaque dates back to 1923:
First, a quick look in the clergy house:
On to the single room chapel itself:
Creepers at the window:
Plenty of pews:
The early 19th century organ, made by W. Bell & Co:
Note: “Lw cariad yw” translates as “It is the oath of love”.
Old prayer book:
View from the pulpit:
And saying a quick prayer for the sheep that has now left us:
That’s all folks!
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