English Wesleyan Chapel 9406
In August 1867 a newspaper reported that ‘the English Wesleyans at this place are erecting a chapel’, supplementing the earlier Welsh Methodist chapel (NPRN 506132). (1) The foundation stone was laid on 16 October 1867, by Mrs Lewis Davies of Preswylfa and the newspaper reported that the chapel:
“will be built in the early Gothic style. The length will be 42 feet, width 30 feet, height from the foundation to the centre of the roof 40ft. At the back of the platform there will be an arch, indented about six inches. There will be no gallery, only three rows of pews, with centre and side aisles. There will be a spire in front, about 20 feet in height. The chapel will be built of stone obtained from the Pwllypant quarry and freestone dressing; and the cost will be about £750.” During the ceremony “The builder then placed a bottle beneath the stone, containing the following document, which was read by Mr J R Yorath Jun –
‘Caerphilly Wesleyan Chapel. The foundation stone of this chapel is laid by Mrs Lewis Davies of Preswylfa, in this county, on Wednesday, the 16th of October 1867. John Bedford, president, John Farrar, secretary, of the Wesleyan Conference; Revs. W. Andrews, T. B. Butcher, H. Jutsum, and W. C. L. Christian, circuit ministers, and thirteen trustees. Messrs. Hartland and Son, Cardiff, architects Mr. Thomas Ralls, Cardiff, builder; Messrs. Thomas Reynolds and S. Sillifant, treasurers; Mr. R. Joseph Yorath, jun., secretary.’
The bottle also contained the Watchman and Methodist Recorder newspapers, and the circuit plan of the ministers who will preach during the quarter. A splendid silver trowel was then presented to Mrs. Lewis Davis, with the following inscription on it: — Presented to Mrs. Lewis Davis, un the occasion of her laying the foundation stone of the Wesleyan chapel, Caerphilly, 16th October, 1807." Mrs. Davis gracefully spread the mortar with the trowel which had been presented to her. The foundation was then lowered into its place, and having been adjusted, Mrs. Davis said- "I lay this stone in all humility to our Heavenly Father, and in the name of the blessed Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I therefore declare it to have been truly and duly laid." The Rev. W. ANDREWS, of Cardiff, the superintendent of the circuit, briefly addressed the assembly. He said that he was glad to see the foundation stone laid. A new chapel for Caerphilly had long been promised, and long looked for, but a great many difficulties had arisen. He trusted that many would be brought to Christ in the new building, of which they had that day witnessed the laying of the foundation stone.”
A collection followed the ceremony, raising £46 3s 1½ d. (2)
Two years later, in September 1869, a terrible storm during which the ‘wind blew a perfect hurricane’ blew down the spire of the chapel, with ‘other damages done near the entrance’. (3)
The chapel was renovated in anticipation of the appointment of a resident minister, the Rev R F Cape in 1898, the reopening taking place in September of that year. (4) In 1908 “A tea party to commemorate the restoration of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Caerphilly, was held on Monday, in the precincts of the old Castle. The chapel has been thoroughly restored. A new wood floor and modern pews have taken the place of uneven flag stones and old fashioned rough benches.’ (5)
The chapel was replaced by the new Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Crescent Road in 1930. In 1936 there is a reference of a lecture being given at the ‘old Wesleyan Chapel’, indicating that it wasn’t immediately demolished. (6)
S Fielding RCAHMW July 2025
(1) The Cardiff Times 17 August 1867
(2) The Cardiff Times 19th October 1867
(3) The Cardiff Times 18th September 1869
(4) South Wales Daily News 16 September 1898
(5) South Wales Daily News Saturday 15 August 1908
(6) Caerphilly Journal 16 May 1936