Jerusalem Chapel, Bethesda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jerusalem Chapel, Bethesda |
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"A chapel of remarkable scale and dignity"
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| OS grid reference | SH624667 |
| Location | Bethesda, Gwynedd |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Presbyterian Church of Wales |
| History | |
| Founded | 1842–1843 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 25 April 1997 |
| Architect(s) | T. Evans (original building) and Richard Davies (rebuilding) |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Italianate palazzo |
| Groundbreaking | 1842–1843, 1872–1875 (rebuilding) |
Jerusalem Chapel is a very old and important church building in Bethesda, Wales. It was first built in 1841-1842. Later, it was rebuilt between 1872 and 1875. This chapel belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Wales.
This chapel is huge! It can fit almost 1,000 people inside. The seating area is shaped like a horseshoe. People still use it for worship today. It's also a 'Grade I listed building'. This means it's a very special and protected historical building.
A Look Back: The Chapel's Story
The first chapel was built by T. Evans from Bangor between 1841 and 1842. Then, Richard Davies rebuilt it from 1872 to 1875. The first building cost about £3,400. The rebuilding cost around £1,778.
The chapel was made for the Calvinistic Methodists. This was a special Welsh group of Methodists. In 1903, a large organ was put into the chapel. It was bought from Huddersfield Town Hall. The chapel is still an active place of worship today. Services are held daily in the Welsh language.
Design and Inside the Chapel
The chapel is built in a style called "Italianate palazzo". This style often looks like grand Italian palaces. Some people have said it looks "more town hall than chapel" because of its size.
The chapel is very large and almost square from the outside. Its outer walls are covered in a smooth material called stucco. The roof is made of slate.
Inside, the chapel has a unique shape. The seating area is curved like a horseshoe. This design allows 980 people to sit comfortably. The inside walls are curved, which hides the square shape of the outside. The ceiling above the seating area is shaped like a dome.
Jerusalem Chapel is a Grade I listed building. This means it is considered a building of exceptional interest. Its listing describes it as "a chapel of remarkable scale and dignity". It also says the inside is "of exceptional interest".
