Church

Beulah Chapel, Margam

Beulah Chapel, Margam

Beulah Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, also called the Round Chapel or Capel y Groes, is a Grade II* octagonal chapel at the north end of Tollgate Park, Margam. It is the only surviving octagonal chapel in Wales.

Location
Margam, Glamorgan
Country
Wales
County
Glamorgan
City / town
Margam
Address
Tollgate Park, Margam, Glamorgan, SA13 2DD
Postcode
SA13 2DD
Built
1838 at Groes; dismantled 1974 and rebuilt 1976 at Tollgate Park
Architect
Edward Haycock; chapel design associated with C R M Talbot; built by Thomas Jenkin
Denomination
Other
Parish
Margam
Grade
II*
Style
Lombardic / round-arched octagonal chapel
Materials
Ashlar with hipped slate roof; octagonal plan
Grid reference
SS 783 874
Opening hours
Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.
Access
Level access to the main areas

Overview

Cadw (list 14172, designated 1 September 1976) records a Lombardic-style chapel built in 1838 as part of the planned village of Groes, which replaced Margam village when C. R. M. Talbot enlarged Margam Park. The village was designed by Edward Haycock; Talbot is said to have influenced the chapel, whose octagonal form may follow the chapter house at Margam. Thomas Jenkin built it for £800 using estate material. Each bay except the entrance has a pair of tall round-headed lights; an oculus sits high on each side. An oval tablet reads: Beulah Calvinistic Methodist Chapel Built at Groes 1838, Dismantled and rebuilt on this site 1976.

The chapel was taken down in 1974 ahead of M4 works and rebuilt in Tollgate Park in 1976. Cadw lists it at Grade II* as the only surviving octagonal chapel in Wales and a special example of the round-arched style in chapel architecture. The interior has aisles converging on a moulded coving and an ornate plaster ceiling rose.

Further Information