Capel Heol Awst, Carmarthen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capel Heol Awst |
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| Location | Lammas Street, Carmarthen |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Independent chapel |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 19 May 1981 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Early 19th century |
Capel Heol Awst is an Independent Welsh chapel located in the historic town of Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The building you see today was built between 1826 and 1827. It replaced an older building from 1726, which had been made bigger twice before to hold up to 1000 people! The chapel is on Lammas Street (also known as Heol Awst) in Carmarthen. It's considered a very important historical building and was given a special "Grade II* listed building" status on May 19, 1981.
The Chapel's Early Story
The story of Capel Heol Awst began even before 1726. Its roots are connected to a person named Stephen Hughes (1622–88). He was a "Puritan," which means he was a type of Protestant Christian who wanted to make the church simpler and focus more on the Bible. Stephen Hughes was known as the "Apostle of Carmarthenshire." People say he started a meeting place for "Congregationalists" on Lammas Street. Congregationalists are Christians who believe each local church should govern itself.
After Stephen Hughes passed away, William Evans from Pencader became the main leader. Then, after William Evans died in 1718, Thomas Perrott from Llanybri took over. It was Thomas Perrott who started the building of a meeting house where the chapel stands today. Around this time, a special school called the Presbyterian Academy was set up in Carmarthen. Until 1840, the minister at Lammas Street was also the main teacher or principal of this academy.
David Peter was the minister at Lammas Street from 1792 until 1835. During his time, the chapel was rebuilt in 1802. By 1826, the building was too small again. So, it was rebuilt and made even bigger. This new building is mostly what we see as the chapel today.
What Does the Chapel Look Like?
The chapel was built in 1826 and 1827 by William Owen, an architect from Haverfordwest. Many people think it's the best chapel of its kind in the area.
From the outside, the chapel looks quite simple. It has a large, sloped roof. You'll see two arched windows above two grand doorways.
Inside, the chapel is very spacious and wide. It has a single deep balcony, called a gallery, where more people can sit. The pews, which are like long benches, are neatly arranged in a "box" style. One of the most interesting features is the pulpit. It's shaped like a wine-glass and has a curved set of steps leading up to it. This kind of pulpit is very unusual! You can find a similar one in the nearby Capel Heol Dŵr, which was built in 1831. However, these pulpits are rare because many were changed or removed when other chapels were updated.
Capel Heol Awst was given its "Grade II* listed building" status on May 19, 1981. This is because it's a fantastic example of an early 19th-century chapel in Wales. It has a strong and interesting design on the outside and a beautiful interior. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales keeps important records about this church. These records include digital photos and colour pictures of both the outside and inside of the building.
