Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
Newall Street Methodist Chapel.
On Monday 8th of May 1905, at a council meeting, plans were put forth for the erection of a Primitive Methodist Chapel at Newall Street, Abertillery. The chapel was to be built to ease the overcrowding at the Methodists Chapel on Somerset Street and was to be its sister chapel.
In 1906 the building of the chapel started, it was built on the corner of Evelyn Street and Newall Street on the Gelli Crug Estate upon land given by the Powell’s Tillery Colliery Company.
The Contractor and Architect.
The contractor was Mr Moses Adams and the architect was Mr W. H. Tarrant.
The Ceremony of the laying of the Memorial Stones.
On Monday 14th of May 1906, the ceremony took place at the new Primitive Methodist Chapel on Newall Street. Rev Lush presided. The ceremony was to lay the Memorial Stones which were laid in the entrance. Rev Lush said the difference between memorial stones and foundation stones were that (foundation stones were laid outside and memorial stones were laid inside).
Others who attended were as follows – Rev J. Whittock of Tonypandy; Rev S. Bryant of Brynmawr; Mr E. Jones Williams J.P.; Dr Rocyn Jones J.P.; Mr Moses Adams; Mr J. Tarrant; Mr C. Jones; Mr Henry Webber; Mr M Ashley; Mr Richardson and many others:
The memorial stones were laid by the following – Mrs S. C. Hancock; Mrs A. Hill; Mrs Rogers; Mrs E. Gunter; Mr E. Jones Williams J.P.; Dr Rocyn Jones J.P.; Mr Henry Webber; on behalf of the Somerset Street Trustees; Mr Mark Ashley on behalf of the Somerset Street Sunday School; Mr Moses Adams on behalf of Mr R. J. Ayers; Mr C. Jones; Mr J. Burge; and Mr M. Adams:
In the afternoon the following donations were given – Miss E. Gunter £5. 5s.; Mr J. Burge £5.; Mr M. Adams £20.; Mr E. Jones Williams J.P £3. 3s.; Mr Chas Jones £5.; Dr Rocyn Jones J.P. £5. 5s.; Mr Mark Ashley on behalf of the Somerset Street Sunday School £7.; Mr A. Hill of Cwmtillery £5.; Mrs S. C. Hancock £5.; Mr M. Rogers £5.; Mr R. J. Ayers £5.; Mr Henry Webber on behalf of the Somerset Street Trustees £5. and Mr Chas Jones £5.:
Later, tea was provided and the tables were presided over by the following – Mesdames Lawrence; Bryant; Stafford; Stainer; Prosser; Cooper; Plummer and Horler: Misses Adams and Russell. Assisted by Mesdames Russell; Stafford; Hudd; West; Padfield; C. Jones; Coleman; T Carter; S. Turner; J. Tarrant and Oakhill: In the evening a public meeting was held and Mr W. B. Harrison J.P., presided.
The Official Opening of the Chapel.
The opening of the chapel was celebrated over two consecutive Sunday’s, the first celebration was on Sunday 15th of July 1906. The opening service was by conducted by Rev Enoch Hill, on holiday from America and who had left this district in 1880. The choir was conducted by Mr T. Carter, Mr John Webber accompanied at the organ. Mr T. Preece had presented the chapel with a pipe organ but at the time of opening it had not been fitted. Mr and Miss Lawrence of 3 Adam Street, Abertillery gave a gift of a pulpit Bible and a hymnal
On the 22nd of July, the following Sunday, the opening services continued with Rev J. H. Brigg of Norfolk and Rev J. Marks Evans of Abertillery conducting the services. Tea was provided by the following – Mesdames – W. Padfield; E. Gunter; K. Plummer; E. Carter with Miss Adams and others and Mr Frank Lawrence: In the evening entertainment was provided by Mr A. Tilney with a full programme consisting of the following – Mr Alfred Steer and party; Mrs Richard Howells; Misses Green, Price and F. Carter; Messrs R. Lewis and G. Jones accompanied by Mr J Webber:
Description of the Building.
The chapel was constructed by Mr Moses Adams in the Gothic style, built with pennant stone facings and Ebbw Vale brick dressings. The interior had dado all around and the ceiling was pitch-pine match board. The groundwork was done by members to ease the cost of construction. The painting work was done by Mr R. J. Ayers, decorator of Abertillery and the heating was installed by Mr Perman, engineers of Abertillery. The chapel accommodated 400 worshippers and was built at a cost of £850.
The Closure of the Chapel.
In November 1935 the South Wales Gazette reported the closure of the Newall Street Methodist Chapel and the building was to be used as a Masonic Hall.
The Fire at the Masonic Hall.
On Tuesday 8th of October 1991, the hall suffered a devastating fire. The hall burned into the early hours of Wednesday 9th October 1991. The building was later demolished and now has modern housing occupying its site.
The image in the main feature was kindly loaned courtesy of – The Jewish History Association of South Wales (JHASW).