Capel Jerusalem and attached outbuildings

Cadw's description

Location

Situated just above the Clydach river, below Gwynfe village, on W side of the lane towards Brynaman.

History

Independent chapel of 1827. The gallery front is very similar to that at Heol Awst Independent Chapel, Carmarthen of 1826-7, by William Owen of Haverfordwest. A relatively early cause originally linked with Cwmllynfell across the Black Mountain. The foundation and first chapel probably date from the 1740s on land given by Mathew John, Maesadda. Rebuilt 1773 with stable. The chapel of 1827 was renewed in 1862.

Exterior

Chapel, squared rock-faced grey limestone with slate close-eaved roof. Whitewashed outbuilding each end, perhaps chapel house to left, stable and schoolroom to right. Chapel has lateral facade of six arched openings all with stone voussoirs to arches. Two long centre windows, door each side with blank fanlight and C20 door, and outer small gallery lights, the heads at same height as main windows. Between centre windows is ogee-headed plaque with half-sphere finial: 'This chapel was rebuilt AD 1827 by the contribution of the church of CHRIST assembled at this place and also the benevolence of the Neighbourhood of Gwynfe in general. David Jones Pastor'. Glazing is late C19 or early C20. Rendered left and whitewashed rubble right gable end, both with overhanging verges. Rear has 2 16-pane sashes over 2 12-pane sashes, not aligned.
Left end has low 2-storey whitewashed outbuilding with stone end stack. Nine-pane small sash over door. Derelict single storey outbuilding behind.
Right end outbuilding also whitewashed, is longer with square 12-pane centre small sash and 2 C20 small ground floor windows. End wall has ground floor door to left with stone voussoirs, plank door and strap hinges. Loft door to right above, with timber lintel. Rear has two windows with stone voussoirs.

Interior

Exceptional three-sided painted timber gallery on 4 posts, 3 iron, one wooden. Deep plain cornice under vertical panels with trefoil heads, the cusps oddly extended with tear-drop forms. Simple moulded top rail. Raked gallery pews. Painted grained panelled box pews in 4 blocks, raked. Some inward facing pews at front of side blocks. Similar plain panelled 'set fawr'. Pulpit of later C19 with steps up each side, canted front with arch-headed panels and turned half shafts. Ceiling is altered in C20 with plain border to 15 recessed panels, painted plaster. Centre panel has oval painted world map inscribed 'Ewch i'r holl fyd a phregethwch yr efengyl i bob creadur'. C20 lobby doors, steps up to gallery are stone for first flight. Plaque to David Griffiths of Glanmeilwch 1792-1863, missionary in Madagasgar for one and a half years.

Reason for designation

Included as an earlier C19 chapel with fine stonework and unusual gallery front of an early date.