Capel Drws-y-coed and Ty Capel

Cadw's description

Location

Set in an isolated position at the foot of Craig y Bera on the north side of the B 4418, fronted by spear-headed iron railings and central gate on a low rubblestone wall with piers to the gates and ends.

History

The original Congregational chapel at Drws-y-coed (founded in 1836), which may have been shared with the Baptists, was on a different site nearby, leased by the Vaynol Estate in 1831. Not shown on the 1840 Tithe Map, the present chapel appears to have first been built in 1856 with further extensive rebuilding in 1892, to which period the present structure probably belongs. Fragmentary ruins of the original building survive on the other side of the road to the south-east.

Exterior

Simple Classical style. Roughcast stone with rendered dressings and slate roof. Gabled front has tall round-arched sash window with margin lights and Gibbsian surround (stressed quoins) to centre with similar but smaller windows in the gabled single-storey porches on either side, the inner returns of which have plank doors. Rendered quoins to both porches and chapel, which has a plain string course, above which is an arched inscription panel, also with Gibbsian surround, reading to tympanum "DRWS-Y-COED/ ADEILADWYD 1836/ AIL ADEILADWYD 1892". Long return walls of 4 bays have tall round-arched sash windows with margin lights as on front. Manse attached to rear under continuous roof line has C20 windows in original openings; integral end stack and ridge stack at junction with chapel.

Interior

Right-hand porch has semi-circular slate plaque with inscription " CONGREGATIONAL BUILDING DRWSYCOED BUILT 1836 REBUILT 1856/ KEEP THY FOOT WHEN THOU GOEST TO/ THE HOUSE OF GOD/ HOLINESS BECOMETH THINE HOUSE/ FOR EVER"; duplicate inscription in Welsh to left-hand porch. Main body of chapel has boarded flat ceiling with ribs coming from each corner to elaborate ceiling rose; moulded plaster cornice. Round-arched niche at far end has paired fluted pilasters and fluted brackets; dentil cornice and architrave with keystone. Set fawr has semi-circular balustraded pulpit, pitch pine pews, rail with turned balusters and newels with ball finials; oil lamps. Marble tablet to William M Roberts (d.1918).

Reason for designation

Included as an unspoilt example of a late C19 rural chapel with mid-C19 origins and site set in a splendidly isolated position. Forms a good group with Glanrafon immediately to the west and the former copper miners' cottages (Bwthyn) directly opposite.