University Anglican Chaplaincy Centre

Cadw's description

Location

Set back from the road on a sloping site.

History

The Church Hostel was founded in 1886 by Dean Edwards to train men for the ministry; also known as the Bangor School of Divinity. Considerably enlarged in 1933 by the building of the Chapel and Library and then in 1953/4 by the additions of greater student accommodation.

Approximately square site comprising the original Victorian house called Craig Menai to right with attached residential range and linked chapel to left by Herbert North (pupil of H Wilson) in free Arts and Crafts style with pebbledash elevations, green slate roofs and swept eaves. The large extension at right rear is in a more vernacular Arts and Crafts manner by P M Padmore of Llanfairfechan (North’s partners and son-in-law). Alterations to the chapel by Bowen, Dann, Davies in 1978.

Exterior

Craig Menai is a 2-storey and attic red brick, slate roofed house; 3-window front with advanced gable bay to right and central porch, said to have been added by North, with pointed arch entrance. Horned sash windows, mostly paired; swept roof attic over porch. Bay window on right gable end and parallel brick range at rear. This is linked to the chapel at the front by a low covered passage also giving access to the small courtyard under a semicircular arched gated opening over which the roof forms a hood. At the rear a 2-storey accommodation range runs N/S (with gables at either end) from the back of Craig Menai across the rear of the courtyard to form the W gable end of the chapel swept roofs. Later extended by 3-windows at right end to link with the 1950’s 2-storey and attic range with 7-bay N side elevation, the central bay of which is advanced; paired horned sash windows.

The most important building on the site is the chapel designed in the stylistic tradition of W R Lethaby (All Saints, Brockhampton) and E S Prior (St Andrew Roker). Single storey with characteristically North style tall lancets and low gabled buttresses. 3-bay nave and 1-bay chancel, the latter is narrower and has diagonally set pyramidal roof with gable ends to N, S and E. Small bellcote to N side and simple crucifix finial to roof. Grouped lancets to centres of both sides. Round arched headed doorway with studded door towards E end of S side; broader main entrance with modern door at the end of the side passage which is bridged by acutely pointed strainer arches springing from ramped buttresses built into the rubble boundary wall.

Interior

The white pained brick interior of the chapel was altered in 1978 by the removal of the road screen and stone altar, it was also refurbished. Tall low sprung arches, acutely pointed, divide each bay and have dentilled bands. Organ gallery and lobby at W end. Chancel roof decoration (trails and sunbursts on a trellised background) was a donation from the architect; 2 arched niches with wooden statues, vestry to N side.

Reason for designation

Craig Menai and the 1950’s extension are listed together with the Chapel and hostel because of the latter’s importance as a principal work of Herbert North.