Capel Shiloh

Cadw's description

Location

Located on south side of the B4409 near road junction; small forecourt has low rubblestone wall with ashlar coping topped by railings with piers and ornamental iron double gates to centre and smaller sets of piers with single gates to left and right.

History

Wesleyan Methodist chapel, of which the first congregation in the area is referred to in C18 with the present chapel founded c1852 (the first minister is recorded in 1857). The existing building, however, dates mainly from the remodelling of 1896, including its fittings and furnishings.

Exterior

Cement-rendered Italianate-style facade to tall 2-storey building of slate-hung rubblestone; gable-ended slate roof. Pedimented front of 2: 3: 2 bays with rusticated pilasters to lower tier and Corinthian pilasters above bold projecting string course; full entablature with frieze and cornice to pediment, which has triangular motif to centre with the word "SHILOH" below in raised lettering. Windows all paired or triple with cambered heads and moulded surrounds with keystones, all in 6 panes with further rectangular pane to top; central shallow-pedimented porch has rusticated pilasters and date "1896" picked out below entablature; segmental-headed doorway with double doors, each with 6 panels and a single curved full-width panel above. 5-bay returns have the same windows as on facade but without the surrounds; boarded-over panelled door in far end bay on right return. Slightly lower single-bay range with integral end stack to rear gable end is Sunday School/vestry with rooms above.

Interior

Good late C19 interior. Ornamental flat panelled ceiling with coving to sides supported by curved ribs springing from a decorative frieze; the ceiling itself is divided into richly moulded square and rectangular panels with 3 diamond-shaped panels running centrally down the long axis of the chapel; these have elaborately decorated roses and pendants from which hang electroliers. Raking pitch-pine box pews throughout including to gallery, which runs round all 4 sides of the chapel and is supported on 9 cast-iron columns with Corinthian capitals; panel and pie decoration and embossed stars to the front of the gallery, the underside of which is corbelled and has large console brackets adjoining the columns; simple inset clock by John Jones of Bethesda facing the set fawr. This has panelled raised enclosure to front with reading desk and pulpit, the latter approached by balustraded stairs with dumpy turned newels to sides. Organ above and behind is set in round-arched recess with keystone and Doric pilasters rising from gallery. 4-panel doors to either side of set fawr lead to Sunday School/vestry with further 4-panel doors in gallery leading to rooms above. Further 4-panel doors flanking fixed 9-paned window with margin lights under gallery at opposite end lead to entrance lobby; this has slate floor and 2 oil lamps; staircases to each end with spindle balusters and turned newels cut across the front windows on way to gallery. Small first-floor rooms at set fawr end have small pilastered cast-iron fireplaces. Marble First World War memorial to right of set fawr.

Reason for designation

Included as an unaltered late C19 chapel in ornate Italianate style occupying a prominent position and forming a strong group with the adjoining pair of cottages, Hafan Deg and Penrala Cottage. Good interior.