Capel Newydd, Nanhoron facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capel Newydd, Nanhoron
"Probably the earliest nonconformist building in North Wales"
OS grid reference	SH285309
Location	Nanhoron, Llanengan, Gwynedd
Country	Wales
Denomination	Nonconformist
History
Founded	1770
Architecture
Functional status	Redundant
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	1 April 1998
Architectural type	Chapel
Style	Vernacular
Groundbreaking	1770
Completed	1772

Capel Newydd, Nanhoron, near Llanengan, Gwynedd, Wales is probably the oldest surviving Nonconformist chapel in North Wales. The chapel dates from 1770-72. Restored in the Victorian era and again in 1956-58, 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.

History

Nonconformist preaching began in this part of Caernarvonshire in the 1740s. In 1770, a Mrs Edwards of the Nanhoron estate donated land for the construction of a chapel. The chapel was completed in 1772, making it "probably the earliest surviving nonconformist building in North Wales". Restorations took place in the early 19th century and again in 1956-58. By the late 19th century the chapel had been abandoned and, no longer in use as a place of worship, it is in the care of the Capel Newydd Nanhoron Trust.

Architecture and description

The chapel is constructed of whitewashed rubble. The roof is of slate with stone corbels. It is described in the Gwynedd volume of The Buildings of Wales as "simple and barn-like", and may originally have been converted from an existing agricultural outbuilding. The interior walls are also whitewashed and stand on an earth floor. The interior fittings comprise plain box pews and a "simple" pulpit. 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".