John Hughes Memorial Chapel, Pontrobert
John Hughes Memorial Chapel, Pontrobert
Hen Gapel John Hughes is a Grade II* former Calvinistic Methodist chapel on a lane north of Pontrobert, Powys, listed by Cadw for its early fabric and its links with the preacher John Hughes and the hymn-writer Ann Griffiths.
- Location
- Pontrobert, Powys
- Country
- Wales
- County
- Powys
- City / town
- Pontrobert
- Address
- Pontrobert, Powys, SY22 6JA
- Postcode
- SY22 6JA
- Built
- 1800; restored 1984–95
- Denomination
- Methodist Church
- Grade
- II*
- Style
- Early Calvinistic Methodist chapel
- Materials
- Uncoursed white-painted stonework with a slate roof
- Grid reference
- SJ 109 129
- Opening hours
- Easter to the end of September: Tuesday to Thursday 2pm to 5pm.
- Access
- Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby
Overview
Cadw records that the chapel was built by the Calvinistic Methodists in 1800. In its early years it housed one of Thomas Charles’s circulating schools. John Hughes (1775–1854), a local weaver, taught here, was ordained at Bala in 1814 and remained minister, living in the attached cottage, until his death. His pulpit of about 1835 is preserved. In old age a hatch was cut in the timber partition so that he could preach from his bed. Ann Griffiths worshipped here after her conversion; Hughes and his wife helped write down her hymns.
The chapel closed in 1865 when the congregation moved to a larger building in the village. It was sold to a wheelwright under a covenant to keep the pulpit; large double doors were cut for cart access. Restoration began in 1984 and the chapel reopened in 1995 as a non-denominational Centre for Christian Unity and Renewal. The listing describes chapel and cottage in uncoursed white-painted stone with a slate roof: a pair of high-level leaded sliding-sash windows flanked by separate doors for men and women. Inside, a single king-post truss remains; original pews do not. Wheelwright tools from the workshop years are displayed.