In June 1929 a start was made on preparing the ground for a new Wesleyan Methodist Church in Caerphilly to replace Ebenezer English Wesleyan Chapel on Castle Street. A newspaper report stated that ‘after waiting for a generation and watching Caerphilly grow from a village to a large industrial centre … Caerphilly Wesleyans almost began to despair that their long cherished dream of a new church would ever materialise, and it speaks for their loyalty and enthusiasm that they have carried on so long and so effectively in the totally inadequate building in Castle Street which has been their spiritual home for over 60 years’. A plot had been acquired in 1925, funded by Mr Jospeh Rank, with the intention of building the new church. This plot, a series of shops on the Twyn worth around £4,000, had proved problematic and instead another plot on St Fagan’s Street was decided upon.
The contractors were Messrs F Holcombe and Son of Cardiff and the premises were designed to consist of a ‘handsome church seating 450 persons’ with a commodious and up-to-date schoolroom. Particular attention was made for ‘dealing with the needs of the young life of the church and district, and adequate facilities will be afforded for fostering the church’s very important work amongst the boys and girls’. (1)
The stone laying ceremony took place on 1th August 1929 when its was described as ‘designed in the modern Gothic style, the man walls being faced with Beaufort multi-coloured bricks, with ‘Monk’s Park’ bathstone dressings and slate roof. The building has sitting accommodation for 450 persons, with choir and rostrum, and a vestry for the minister and a separate vestry for the choir under the choir gallery. Underneath is a large schoolroom with primary department, class-rooms and the usual offices. The building is centrally heated’ Messrs J H Phillips ans Wride, L.R.I.B.A Cardiff are the architects, and Messrs F Holcombe and sons, Cardiff, are the contractors.’ The ceremony commenced with the singing of ‘We love the place, O lord’ and a prayer, after which the Rev, Harold Snowden addressed the assembly saying that ‘their prayers had been answered, for the weather was fine and the congregation was large. Everyone present was aware that they had embarked on a costly scheme, for the new premises would cost over £10,000.Towards this sum they had raised £7,000 and they hoped to collect another £500 that day. Sixteen stones were to be laid and it would be noticed that none of them were engraved. The reason for this was that they intended to place a commemorative brass tablet inside the church, as they felt this would prove a more lasting record. … foundation stones were laid by the following: Mrs goodman (on behalf of the congregation), Miss E Shephard (on behalf of the ladies sewing class), Miss Maude Edwards (on behalf of the Sunday School), Mrs T Sharland (on behalf of the choir) Mr F Wide (on behalf of the trustees), Mr W H Furnivall (on behalf of the local preachers), Miss Phyllis Holland (on behalf of the Girls League), Capt. Harold Davies (on behalf the Boys' Brigade), Rev. H. Snowdon and Mrs. Snowdon, Mr. W. H. Millard, Mrs. Dan Thomas, Mr. J Stuart Parsons, Miss Gladys Herriman (on behalf of her parents), Mrs F. Beddoe, Mrs W Roberts, Cardiff, and Mrs Tilsley (in memoriam of her husband, the late. Mr. W. T. Tilsley, an early trustee)…. A magnificent sum of £550 was realise as a result of the stone laying ceremony’ (2)
The church was opened on 28th May 1930, by Mr and Mrs C Edward Willims of Cardiff. (3) The ceremony was presided over by the Circuit Superintendent Rev. J Stainer Wilkinson, supported by Rev Harold Snowdon, minister of the church. After prayers, a key was presented to Mrs Williams by Mr J B Wride, the architect, and the doors were opened, Mrs Williams leading the congregation into the church. (4)
The chapel is built in a modern interpretation of the Gothic style, the façade and side elevations dominated by a series of large rectangular traceried windows. The central door enters into a small vestibule with a commemorative tablet to the funding and opening of the chapel. Two doors lead to the main auditorium which is open to the full height of the building and well lit. The pews are 19th century reused from the Central Hall, Charles Street, Cardiff. At the far end of the auditorium is a dais, enclosed by an oak communion rail with wrought iron supports and furnished with a communion table and lectern. Two sets of steps led to the pulpit, also of oak, while two further sets of stairs lead to a large choir gallery. Over the gallery is a another large, traceried window with coloured leaded glass. At the front of the chapel, over the vestibule, is the organ chamber, while to the rear, below the choir gallery, are a vestry and kitchen.
Listed Grade II as 'an excellent example of the continuation of the chapel-building tradition into the inter-war period, the Art deco style being most unusual'.
In 2024 the Royal Commission carried out detailed recording of the chapel; this included laser scanning, photogrammetry and photography.
RCAHMW July 2025
(1) Caerphilly Journal 22 June 1929
(2) Merthyr Express 10 August 1929
(3) Plaque in chapel foyer
(4) Western Mail 29 May 1930
(5) Merthyr Express 24 May 1930
Cadw Listed Building Register No. 21376