Park Congregational Chapel, Llanelli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Park Congregational Chapel, Llanelli |
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| 51°40′49″N 4°09′41″W / 51.6802°N 4.1614°W | |
| OS grid reference | SN506001 |
| Location | Junction of Murray Street and Inkerman Street, Llanelli |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Congregational church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1864 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 3 December 1992 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Late Gothic style |
Park Congregational Chapel is a historic church building in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was built in 1864 and stands at the corner of Murray Street and Inkerman Street. This chapel is recognized as a Grade II site, which means it's an important historical structure protected by law since December 3, 1992.
Contents
Discovering Park Chapel's History
Park Congregational Chapel was built when Llanelli was a busy town. It was a major center for making tinplate and steel. Many people moved to Llanelli for work, and they needed more places to worship.
Building the Chapel: 1864-1865
The chapel was designed by architects Lander and Bedells from London. It was built between 1864 and 1865. The style is called Gothic, which means it looks like old European churches with pointed arches and tall windows. The chapel has a tall, slender square tower. This tower is topped with an eight-sided section and a simple stone spire.
Inside the Chapel
Inside, the chapel is quite cozy. It has a lower ceiling than you might expect and a wooden gallery at one end. You'll find many beautiful stained-glass windows. Some were put in by Abbot and Co in 1884 and 1908. Others were added in 1919 and 1934. A more recent stained-glass window by Celtic Studios was installed in 1974.
Why Park Chapel is a Grade II Listed Building
The chapel became a Grade II site on December 3, 1992. This means it's considered a very good example of a church from its time period. The listing also includes the metal railings on Inkerman Street. These railings have decorative cast-iron gate-posts and were added in 1896. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales keeps records about this chapel. These records include digital photos of the outside and special photographic surveys of the building.
The Fire and What Happened Next
On August 13, 2015, the chapel caught fire. This caused a lot of damage. Homes nearby on Murray Street and Inkerman Street had to be evacuated for safety. At its worst, 40 firefighters worked to put out the blaze. It took about two hours to get the fire under control.
After the Fire
The fire badly damaged the chapel. Most of the roof was burned away. After the fire, a building expert checked the chapel and said it was still safe. It was confirmed that the church would be rebuilt. In May 2016, the church was going to be sold at an auction. However, it was taken off the market before the auction happened. The future of the chapel building is still being decided.
