Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Nazareth Chapel
Tonna, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 25 February 2000
- Locality
- Tonna
- Community
- Tonna
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.67449, -3.77811
- Cadw reference
- 22864
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
On the S side of the main B4434 through the village on the E side of the junction with School Road, and set back from the main road behind a railed forecourt.
History
Built in 1881 (date on building) as a Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. It is now Welsh Presbyterian.
Exterior
Classical-style chapel with a 3-bay front of snecked, rock-faced stone and slate roof. Well-proportioned front has 2 tiers of round-headed openings, taller in the upper tier, all of which have keystones and sash windows with margin glazing. The double panelled doors are beneath an overlight with radial glazing, etched glass and coloured margin lights. Above, the central bay has a Venetian window, of which the narrow flanking lights have pediments. The pedimented gable has a shield bearing the date of the chapel in engraved letters, above which is a pair of round-headed windows below the apex. A string course between the 2 tiers of openings continues around the 3-window R side wall. This is pebble-dashed, has an upper tier of round-headed windows replaced in earlier openings, and sashes below. A moulded eaves cornice continues the moulding of the pediment to the front. The L side wall is rubble stone with sash windows similar to the R side. The rear wall is roughcast with a narrower lower single-storey gabled vestry attached.
Interior
The vestibule has a glass panel set opposite the doorway with coloured and etched glass, and has a floor of coloured decorative tiles. The main chapel has a moulded ceiling cornice and an elaborate ceiling rose set in a boarded frame. A 3-sided raked gallery is carried on fluted cast iron columns with foliage capitals, and has a panelled gallery front. The numbered pews have shaped ends. The pulpit is panelled and has steps L and R with turned balusters and square newels. Behind the pulpit is a reredos consisting of fluted pilasters, consoles and a round arch with keystone, enriched with classical mouldings.
Reason for designation
Listed for architectural interest as a well-designed chapel in a prominent location, retaining very good internal detail.
Nearby in the register
- Lock HouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Stable at Neath Canal DepotTransportunder 1 mi
- Wood seasoning shed & saw pit at Neath Canal DepotTransportunder 1 mi
- Lock and overbridge at Neath Canal DepotTransportunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.