A chapel in Tremadog is undergoing extensive restoration work which has prompted local history enthusiast, Martin Pritchard, to investigate the history of the building.
Martin, who lives in Porthmadog, has uncovered some interesting facts about Peniel Chapel, which is located at the southern gateway of Tremadog.
“Its innovative gable front and auditorium plan proved highly influential in the evolution of Welsh chapel design, whilst its pedimented portico with Tuscan columns has made it one of Wales’ most iconic chapels,” Martin explained.
Tremadog itself was planed by London entrepreneur William Madocks who bought the marsh land in 1798 and envisioned the area as a settlement on the trade route between London and Ireland.
“The Calvinistic Methodist chapel was finished in 1810, and when enlarged in 1849 to the original designs, it was possibly the most striking chapel in Wales, its temple front loosely based on Inigo Jones’ St Paul’s, Covent Garden,” said Martin.
Peniel is an outstanding example of early classical architecture in Wales. The majority of the building dates from 1810-11, but the distinctive three-bay Tuscan portico, although part of the original concept, was possibly only added in 1849.
Fast forward to 2018, when phase one of the restoration work was carried out. This saw major roof repairs to the Grade I listed building, funded by a Listed Place of Worship Roof Grant awarded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
According to Martin, the main contractor was the Original Roofing Company from Blaenau Ffestiniog and the architect was Donald Insall Associates.
“The slates varied in size, large slates at the bottom of the roof, then decreasing in size as they reached the ridge,” Martin said.
“Each slate was taken off, numbered and recorded. They were then put back into their original positions, and any broken or damaged slates replaced by similar slates sought from local quarries or other demolished buildings nationwide."
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