Capel Newydd in Nanhoron, near Llanengan, Gwynedd, is probably the oldest surviving Nonconformist chapel in North Wales. The chapel dates from 1770–1772. Restored in the Victorian era and again in 1956–1958, its interior is a remarkably complete survival with an earthen floor and simple box pews. Now in the care of a trust, the chapel is a Grade I listed building.
| Capel Newydd | |
|---|---|
 "Probably the earliest nonconformist building in North Wales" | |
  Capel Newydd Location in Gwynedd | |
| 52°50′54″N 4°32′49″W / 52.8484°N 4.547°W | |
| OS grid reference | SH285309 |
| Location | Nanhoron, Llanengan, Gwynedd |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Independent |
| History | |
| Founded | 1770 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Designated | 1 April 1998 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Vernacular |
| Groundbreaking | 1770 |
| Completed | 1772 |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Capel Newydd[1] |
| Designated | 19 October 1971[1] |
| Reference no. | 4303[1] |
History
editNonconformist preaching began in this part of Caernarfonshire in the 1740s.[1] In 1770, a Mrs Edwards of the Nanhoron estate donated land for the construction of a chapel.[1] The chapel was completed in 1772,[1] making it "probably the earliest surviving nonconformist building in North Wales".[1] Restorations took place in the early 19th century and again in 1956–1958.[2] By the late 19th century the chapel had been abandoned[3] and, no longer in use as a place of worship, it is in the care of the Capel Newydd Nanhoron Trust.[4]
Architecture and description
editThe chapel is constructed of whitewashed[5] rubble.[1] The roof is of slate with stone corbels.[1] It is described in the Gwynedd volume of The Buildings of Wales as "simple and barn-like",[5] and may originally have been converted from an existing agricultural outbuilding.[1] The interior walls are also whitewashed and stand on an earth floor.[5] The interior fittings comprise plain box pews and a "simple" pulpit.[2] The chapel is a Grade I listed building, its listing recording it as "exceptionally early ... with one of the very few surviving early chapel interiors".[1]
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cadw. "Capel Newydd (Grade I) (4303)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Capel Newydd Welsh Independent Chapel, Nanhoron, Gwinllan". Coflein. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
- ^ Jenkins 2008, pp. 240–41.
- ^ "Outside bodies – Capel Newydd Nanhoron Trust". Democracy.cyngor.gwynedd.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
- ^ a b c Haslam, Orbach & Voelcker 2009, p. 471.
References
edit- Haslam, Richard; Orbach, Julian; Voelcker, Adam (2009). Gwynedd: Anglesey, Caernarvonshire and Merioneth. The Buildings of Wales. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-14169-6.
- Jenkins, Simon (2008). Wales: Churches, Houses, Castles. London: Penguin. ISBN 978-0-713-99893-1.