Capel Newydd, Blaenavon (site of)

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a small late medieval chapel. It served Llanover and was demolished in 1863 after Blaenavon became an ecclesiastical parish. The first documentary reference to the chapel was in 1577 and a stone in the churchyard bore the date of 1736. It was described in the 19th century as a little rectangular chapel measuring 9.7m by 4.9m, standing within a squarish stone walled enclosure with two small windows in its south wall and a little western porch. The site now consists of rectangular turf grown foundations within traces of a rectangular enclosure. A small nineteenth century cross on steps mark the site of the high altar.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of medieval Christianity. The site forms an important element within the wider medieval landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.