Tabernacle Chapel, Pennorth

Congregational (nineteenth century)
United Reformed Church 1972 to present

Tabernacle Chapel was built in 1841 and rebuilt in 1893.
The latest chapel is Simple Gothic in style and has a gable entry plan

The origins of Pennorth Chapel can be found in Aber Congregational Chapel, where a Mrs Harvard had walked from her home across the Usk Valley to worship.  In 1813, finding the journey increasingly difficult, she persuaded her husband William to host services at their farmhouse Neuadd in Scethrog with the help of local preachers.  A year and a half later, a nearby cottage Brynhyfryd was rented and converted to a place suitable for public worship.  As fellowship numbers increased, the little cottage chapel at Scethrog became too small. A more suitable position was found on land at Pennorth which the trustees leased from the Holford estate for ‘one peppercorn a year’.  The new Tabernacle Chapel was built and opened in June 1841 with a burial ground alongside.  In 1857 a minister’s house was erected adjoining the Chapel.
 
Under the popular ministry of Reverend W Catwg Davys, the chapel was enlarged and refurbished in 1893.  Reverend W M Saer was equally well-regarded.  Sunday morning services were conducted in Welsh and in the evenings in English.  With the coming of the railway which linked South Wales valleys to Brecon and Hay-on-Wye there was more employment and housing development.  Many of the trustees appointed by the Chapel were recorded as railway workers, blacksmiths and farm labourers.  Today the disused rail track can just be seen alongside Chapel House where it ran under the road via the stone bridge.

Lavish Centenary Celebrations were recorded in October 1913 when membership averaged 40-60.  A Centenary Sunday School Library was formally opened and the assembled clergy, guests and congregation gave a very warm welcome to Reverend Elvet Lewis, the poet, preacher and hymn writer, revered for his enormous contribution to Welsh life and culture.

For nine years in the 1920s Reverend Matthew Owen ‘commuted’ by train from Cefn-Coed to Talyllyn every Saturday night, returning first thing on Monday morning, having stayed in Chapel House for the two nights.  His welcome and charge to those entering the Chapel can still be seen on display above the table in the back right corner.

Emeritus Professor John Evans B A of Brecon was highly regarded for exercising general oversight in the pastorate during the vacancy of 1906-08.  He often cycled from Brecon to Pennorth to lead worship and had also been seen walking across the fields when the roads were blocked by snow.  He was 103 when he preached his last service at Tredomen Chapel.  The commemorative plaque to mark the occasion is displayed at Pennorth.

The chapel building is simple Gothic style built with stone walls, slate roof tiles, and the front north facing elevation lime rendered and painted. Modern double glazed windows and doors now fitted throughout.  Internally there are rows of pews to each side and centre with aisles leading off each side from the entrance porch.  A central raised pulpit is provided with steps leading up on either side but a lower modern lectern is often used by those leading worship.  Unusually for an independent chapel there is no ‘sedd fawr’ or ‘big seat’ although the position it would have occupied is evident by a slightly raised platform.  There is a wooden rail enclosing the platform behind which is a communion table.  A piano provides accompaniment.  

In October 1949 Eifion Thomas took his first service at Pennorth as the newly appointed minister of the Brecon Rural Group of Independent Chapels: Ebenezer, Upper Chapel; Bethania.  Lower Chapel; Brechfa; Tredomen; and Tabernacle, Pennorth.  Reverend Thomas remained at Pennorth for 40 years taking three services every Sunday.  It seems that after 1989 services were not necessarily held every week and eventually a pattern was established offering worship every two weeks. 

In 1972 Pennorth became part of the United Reformed Church.  Alan Willcocks was appointed Special Category Minister in 1999.  In the Brecon area, a solution to dwindling attendance and ageing and deteriorating buildings was to amalgamate Ebenezer and Bethania, and for the Brechfa and Tredomen fellowships to decamp to Llanfilo Village Hall.  Two years later in 2005 the members at Llanfilo joined Pennorth.

 A new chapter began for ‘Pennorth with Llanfilo’, and the proceeds from the sale of Brechfa and Tredomen were used to refurbish Pennorth.  When the Brecon Beacons Pastorate was formed in 2004 Ted Gascoyne from Pennorth became its first chairman.  In 2006 Reverend Michael Hodgson was inducted as Minister in the Brecon Beacons Pastorate.  During his period of ministry Pennorth was refurbished, with updated lighting and heating; and a smart re-paint inside.  The vestry/schoolroom situated at the rear was given a window over views to truly gladden the heart across the Buckland Vale, and the kitchen was updated.  Michael was joined in 2009 by Reverend Greg Thompson, a valuable support in a busy Pastorate, for five years.

The last caretaker to occupy Chapel House was Mrs Valeri de Graaf.  On her departure the house was given a major refurbishment and is now occupied by private tenants.  Although once a manse and latterly a caretaker’s house, it was unsuitable accommodation for a team of two ministers.  The pastorate was fortunate to have a manse in Gilwern and in Libanus which provided suitable accommodation.  The Reverend Ian Kirby was inducted in 2018 and joined by his wife, Reverend Julie Kirby, following her ordination in 2019.

Churchyard:

The monuments have been recorded and information and photographs are available on an interactive section of the website. https://www.beacons.wales/1pennorth/index.php

Three of the Ministers who served the chapel are buried in the graveyard along with some notable local characters.  There is one mature yew tree and wildflowers were recorded in 2020 with photographs available on the website.