Kensington Baptist Chapel, Kensington, Brecon

Description

Denomination: English Baptist

Built: 1844

Rebuilt: 1877

Photography: John Ball
Date: 4 May 2007
Camera: Nikon D50 digital SLR

Notes:
1. The first chapel on this site was built in 1844, but by 1877 it became too small to meet the needs of an expanding congregation and a flourishing Sunday school. Also the times demanded something modern and more spectacular, so a new chapel, vestry and schoolroom were built at a cost of £2000. [From Local Information Sheet 18 - Aberhonddu / Brecon, published by Cymdeithas Treftadaeth Y Capeli - The Chapels Heritage Society]
2. A Baptist chapel was built at the Watergate in 1806, superseded by the Kensington Chapel built in 1844. [Extracted from the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) website]
3. Description of church hall: "Kensington Church Hall in the Watergate district of Brecon is of traditional design adjacent to the disused Baptist chapel". [Extracted from Nursery Report on Rainbow Kindergarten, published 2008 by Estyn, the office of Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales]
4. Possibly built in 1824. In 1877 the Kensington Chapel was rebuilt. Built in the Gothic style, gable entry type. [Extracted from Coflein database (NPRN 97351)]
5. Present chapel demolished in 2011, in preparation for rebuilding. The old chapel became unsafe due to subsidence (the chapel is close to the bank of the river Usk). [Personal visit by John Ball, May 2011]

Image 1:

Church Hall (left) and Chapel (right).

• http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/churches/brecon8.htm (link opens in new window)