Wall, railings and gates at New Bethel Chapel graveyard

Location

Wall completely surrounds the original graveyard and extends uphill along the lane fronting the graveyard extension, ending in a recess with double gates.

History

Wall defining the early graveyard and surrounding the mid C18 chapel is probably contemporary with it, as is possibly the gate, though not the piers. As well as the monuments listed separately the graveyard contains many finely lettered headstones. It was extended later uphill and probably the front railings and wall date from this period. The gated recess higher up appears to be later still. G. Harry quotes dates of 1872 and 1899 for cemetery extension. Certainly it had already expanded by the time of first edition OS map 1886.

Exterior

Original graveyard wall surrounds the chapel; construction is of narrow coursed stone rubble with tightly packed upright coping stones; it appears as a high retaining wall from outside in the surrounding fields. Later the graveyard was extended uphill and part of the front wall is included in this listing. Wall in front of chapel, a later rebuild of the original, is of larger rubble with saddleback coping, with railings on top; these are close set with spear finials and scrolled supports to the stanchions. Lightweight railings extend at right angles to side wall which divides off the later extension. In front of the James Thomas monument enclosure the rails are higher. The uphill extension of the wall is of mixed rubble with upright stone coping. The heavy wide wrought iron entrance gate on the downhill side is possibly contemporary with the first chapel and has scrolled and twisted spear finials to top and middle rail and scrolled stiles; rockfaced gatepiers with pyramidal caps. The uphill recess has 4 piers of coursed rockfaced stone with rockfaced caps; two at roadside with a curved section of wall extending to the two recessed gatepiers from which hang fine decorative iron double gates incorporating motifs of a wheel, a vinescroll with a row of finials on the upper rail.

Reason for designation

Listed for historic interest reflecting the development of the chapel and for some fine ironwork; group value with Chapel, Tombs and Sunday School.