In November 1886, an announcement was published that the Primitive Methodists in Caerphilly, having some months ago organised a church at the house of Mr George Wayne, Furniture Store, hd now decided to build a “commodious place of worship, which will probably be situated at the north end of the town” and that fundraising for the buildings had commenced. (1) As the Primitive Methodist had been previously recorded as having built the Welsh Wesleyan Chapel (NPRN 506132) and opened it for worship in 1872, the wording of this announcement suggests that the earlier congregation had closed and the cause restarted.
The foundation stone of the new Beulah Chapel was laid in June 1888:
“NEW PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL AT CAERPHILLY. LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. On Wednesday afternoon the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Primitive Methodist Chapel, Caerphilly, was performed in very unpropitious weather, by Miss Ramsdale, daughter of Councillor Ramsdale, of Cardiff. Addresses were delivered by Alderman R Cory, the Rev. D. Richards, and Mr H. Anthony, J.P., Caerphilly. A sum of £130 is already in the treasurer's hands towards the trust fund. Several handsome donations were placed on the memorial stone, including: Alderman Cory, £20; Councillor Ramsdale, £ 20 Mr .James Lethby (Pontymister), £5; Mr W. Nash (Fleur-da-lis), £5; Mr H. Anthony (Caerphilly), £2. The chapel, which is situated at the north end of the town, will probably cost about £500. The contract has been let to Mr Thomas Colborne, Stratton-road, Swindon. In the evening a public meeting was held at Bethel Independent Chapel, when the Rev. E. Hall delivered an address on the history, doctrines. and polity of Primitive Methodism. Several other ministers and laymen delivered addresses. Mr G. Waye, Caerphilly, presided.” (2)
The Royal Commision on the Church of England and Other Religious Buildings In Wales and Monmouthshire of 1905 recorded the chapel has having a seating capacity of 200 and a vale of £500.
On Easter Sunday 1914 a memorial tablet to Mrs Mary Ann Hawkins was unveiled at the church; marble with a dark marble boarder, it was inscribed “Sacred to the memory of my dear wife, Mary Ann Hawkins, who was for about 40 years a member, and as many years a preacher, of the primitive Methodist Church, who departed this life 28th December, 1913, in her 61st year”. Located in the north side of the nave, it was made by Mr Davies, sculptor, of Caerphilly. (3)
The Revised Edition OS mapping of 1969 showed the chapel still in use as ‘Meth Ch’ (4), while the Glamorgan Record Office has in their collection a photograph from 1971. (5) By 2009 the chapel had been demolished.
The chapel was built in the Sub Romanesque style of the gable-entry type. The central doorway has a pointed headed porch and is flanked by two tall, narrow round-headed windows with Florentine tracery. Each of these windows is set within a slightly recessed arch with stone surrounds to the sides and moulded stone to the arch, and the two are joined over the door by a moulded stringcourse. Above the stringcourse, the centre of the gable is dominated by a large circular window with glazing in the form of a six-pointed star.
S Fielding RCAHMW July 2025
(1) South Wales Echo 19th November 1886 (First edition)
(2) South Wales Daily News 29th June 1888 (Swansea Edition)
(3) Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer 24th April 1914
(4) 1:2500 OS Map Revised:1969 Published: 1970
(5) GRO DXFC/21/17 Primitive Methodist chapel, Pontygwyndy, 1971