Capel y Berthen

Cadw's description

Location

At the N end of Lixwm village, set back behind a lawn with boundary railings on the N side of a minor road between Lixwm and Ysceifiog.

History

The first chapel here was begun in 1775 by John Owen (1733-76), the first Methodist exhorter in Flintshire, but he died prior to its completion. The chapel was modified in 1823, 1836 and 1892.

Exterior

A simple classical style chapel of pebble-dashed walls and slate roof. The openings have rock-faced stone dressings, and the windows have horned sashes with Italianate tracery and bracketed stone sills. The front has 4 round-headed windows and a doorway L of centre under a segmental head and with a replaced panel door. A tablet R of centre records the foundation of the chapel in 1775 and its subsequent rebuildings. A lean-to porch is against the R gable end, the doorway of which projects in front of the chapel and is gabled. It has replaced double panelled doors but retains its original radial overlight. The side wall of the porch has a central window under a gablet similar to the chapel front, below which is a band of blank foundation tablets, and flanked by narrow sash windows. Above the porch the gable end of the main chapel has a keyed oculus and coped freestone verge. A lower gabled school room and hall, dated 1992, is built against the L gable end, above which the main chapel has a coursed rock-faced stone stack. The rear of the chapel has 4 windows similar to the front.

Interior

Not inspected.

Reason for designation

Listed primarily for historical interest as one of the earliest Methodist chapels in Flintshire, and for its association with John Owen, founder of Methodism in the county.