According to the British listed buildings website it has a Grade II listing due to 'its special architectural interest as a prominent, large and imposing late C19 chapel of definite character'. I would certainly agree with that, particularly the interior detail.
The Calvinistic Methodist chapel was originally built in 1845. It was enlarged and rebuilt in 1866, modified in 1878 and rebuilt again in 1898. Sometimes, size does matter. And chapels really mattered at that time in Wales, it was a massive deal in most peoples lives. Even in the most remote places you would find a small chapel and in a bigger town like this there would be many. I would guess that this one could hold 500 quite easily, and there would be a couple of others in the town of a similar size for other religious denominations, as well as maybe 3 or 4 smaller ones.
It closed in 1999 and it caught my eye as being a place I'd very much like to explore. It was not to be for about 3 years until one evening I saw a way in. Daylight was fading fast though so I had to settle for a few 'atmospheric' shots inside. I had to go back of course - early one morning with the low sun streaming in which lit the stunning interior with a beautiful golden glow. No filters needed!
Finally, the lower ground floor where the Sunday School would have been held.
The Calvinistic Methodist chapel was originally built in 1845. It was enlarged and rebuilt in 1866, modified in 1878 and rebuilt again in 1898. Sometimes, size does matter. And chapels really mattered at that time in Wales, it was a massive deal in most peoples lives. Even in the most remote places you would find a small chapel and in a bigger town like this there would be many. I would guess that this one could hold 500 quite easily, and there would be a couple of others in the town of a similar size for other religious denominations, as well as maybe 3 or 4 smaller ones.
It closed in 1999 and it caught my eye as being a place I'd very much like to explore. It was not to be for about 3 years until one evening I saw a way in. Daylight was fading fast though so I had to settle for a few 'atmospheric' shots inside. I had to go back of course - early one morning with the low sun streaming in which lit the stunning interior with a beautiful golden glow. No filters needed!
Finally, the lower ground floor where the Sunday School would have been held.
