Capel Ebenezer

Cadw's description

Location

Set back at a splayed angle to the road behind grassed and tiled forecourt.

History

Dated l8ll - referring to the founding of an independent chapel here. Said to have been rebuilt in l850 by Thomas Roderick, the well known local architect who did work on several of the Aberdare chapels. Although he was not born until 1854 he may well have been the architect because stylistically a date nearer 1900 for the rebuilding would be more likely.

Exterior

Rendered 3-bay classical gabled front with cornice and channelled end pilasters; slate roof. Circular attic window with keyblocks; flanked by the date and with lettering below. Semi-circular arched gallery windows with fluted pilasters, foliage capitals, keystones and sill band; horned sashes with marginal glazing bars. The facade is most striking for its lean-to lobby with 3 gables, pediment treatment is given by an overall cornice. The gables have finials (one broken) and terracotta fleuron decoration. Open to central bay with fluted marble effect cast iron column; this porch has panelled doors to either end and scribed rendered back wall including window with similar glazing. The outer bays have twinned semi-circular arched windows of similar style to those above. The porch has tiled pavement and partly eroded stone tablet dated 9 October l829. 5-bay cement rendered side elevations with round arched headed gallery windows over square headed windows.

Coursed rubble forecourt wall with old railings retained to right. Stone gate piers.

Interior

The galleried interior has coved ceiling with 2 large plasterwork roses with radiating ribs to boarded edge and central band; dentil cornice. Raked gallery carried on marble effect cast iron columns; panelled front with foliage ornament inset in darker wood. Quatrefoil panels to organ in recess above 'set fawr'. Panelled front to platform and balusters on steps to 'set fawr'.