Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Thomas family monument
Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn, Caerphilly, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 25 May 1999
- Locality
- Groeswen
- Town
- Caerphilly
- Community
- Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn
- Unitary authority
- Caerphilly
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.57488, -3.25974
- Cadw reference
- 21737
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Located in the burial ground on the S side of the chapel.
History
Groeswen, built in 1742, was the first Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Wales. The burial ground was acquired in the period 1798-1801, and was extended E in 1865. It is known as the 'Westminster of Wales' because of the fine collection of displayful monuments to ministers, benefactors of the chapel, and local bards.
Edward Thomas of Aber Fawr died in 1912. He and his family were benefactors of the chapel and are said to have provided many of the internal fittings when it was rebuilt c1874.
Exterior
A pair of masonry chest tombs on a single, large, coursed masonry plinth. Vault beneath with entrance to W. The chests have angle pilasters with recessed panels bearing inverted torches in relief. The faces of the tombs are inset, and contain white marble tablets with inscriptions. Moulded cap stones with shallow coping, each supporting a decorative casket. The N tomb is open at the E end.
Reason for designation
Listed as a pair of fine, prominent chest tombs, commemorating benefactors of the chapel.
Group value with Groeswen Chapel and other listed monuments in the burial ground.
Nearby in the register
- Monument to Thomas James Thomas and othersReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Groeswen ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Monument to William Williams ('Caledfryn')Religious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Monument to Evan Jones ('Ieuan Gwynedd')Religious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.