St John's Chapel

Cadw's description

Location

On an island site with St John's Place to right; set in the slope.

History

Medieval guild chapel said to have been founded in 1254; used by the guild of the Tradesmen of Hay and dedicated to St John the Baptist; also served as chapel to the castle, as the Parish Church was outside the town walls. Dissolved by Edward VI in 1547 and transfered to Vaughan family in 1567; it was a ruin when John Wesley preached here in 1774. A lock-up was built out of it in 1811 and used until the building of the Police Station in 1875; subsequently it was used as a Fire Station and various shops as well as a house. In 1930 the site was bought by Mary Louisa Dawson and presented to the Parish after major restoration. The structure is largely of that date.

Exterior

U-plan with chapel to left and schoolroom/reading room to right. 2-storey rubble elevations with plinth, slate roof and brick chimney stack. Gable parapet and broad kneelers to schoolroom repeated on right side and rear elevations. Timber frame leaded windows, 1 cross frame to right side; voussoir lintels and Tudor labels. Pointed entrances, with voussoirs and keystones, to schoolroom and chapel boarded and studded doors. L-plan single storey extension to left with small forecourt. Pointed arch bellcote to left over chapel aligned N-S; crucifix to N end. Bell inscribed "Edward Wellington CW 1718" - by Henry Williams. Rounded SE corner and outside steps to rear.

Interior

Interior of the chapel has a reredos of Jacobean richly carved oak from Chipford and formerly of domestic use. The oak alter is from Whitney. To right is a portrait sculpture (style of Donatello) signed B Wilson, Florence 1898. One grilled opening retained in schoolroom.

Reason for designation

Group value with other listed items in Lion Street and St John's Place.