Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
The Primitive Methodist Chapel – Aberbeeg.
The Early History.
In about 1874 the Primitive Methodist Society was formed in a cottage by several miners and their wives.
In about 1875 they moved to a room placed at their disposal for Sunday Services at te Powell’s Colliery Reading Rooms (Kibby’s Shop). When alterations were carried out at the Aberbeeg Railway Junction by the G.W.R., the old wooden station house was purchased by the society as a meeting house, where Sunday Services and week-night services were held, including a Sunday School and a Band of Hope.
The society was incorporated into the very extensive Ebbw Vale Circuit where the society and the Sunday School continued to grow and with commendable faith a lease was taken upon a plot of land leased from John Capel Hanbury at an annual rental of £2.10s.0d., for a period of 99 years from the 1st of May 1889, upon which to build a chapel at a cost of £300.
The early history of the Primitive Methodist Society was provided courtesy of Mrs Ann Price.
The First Chapel. 
In May 1889, the Western Mail newspaper printed notices (as seen left) that tenders were invited from local builders for the construction of a Primitive Methodist Chapel at Aberbeeg. This chapel was located on the road to Abertillery. Plans, specifications and other information on application to Mr McBean, architect and surveyor, Abertillery.
I cannot find any information on either the contractor, builder or architect although in September 1889, the chapel was under construction.
Description of the Old Chapel.
As mentioned there seems to be no information of the old chapel being built, or any description of it, the maps from 1901 show the building as being similar in size of the later new building although it was slightly set back from the line of the road.
The Revival and a New Chapel.
During the revival in the church and the increase in worshippers during the early 1900’s, the old Methodist Chapel at Aberbeeg was becoming unfit for purpose. At the beginning of 1905 the church authorities decided upon having a larger chapel built including a schoolroom. In February 1905 tenders (as seen right) were invited from local builders and were to be posted to Rev E. Ball, 52 Gladstone Street, Abertillery.
The New Chapel and Schoolrooms Proposal.
On Friday 17th of March 1905, the Pontypool Free Press newspaper printed an article under district news, stating – Aberbeeg Church Enlargement, It had been decided by the authorities of the Primitive Methodist Church, Abertillery Road, to erect a larger edifice to meet the demands of the increased membership. Building operations will commence at an early date. This new chapel proposal followed the revival in the church during the early 1900’s.
The Ceremony of the Foundation Stone Laying.
On Monday 21st of August 1905, the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stones took place at the construction site of the new chapel and schoolrooms. The ceremony was conducted by Rev W. Green in the absence of Rev J. Lush. The first stone was laid by Mr J. Stanfield J.P., the second stone by Mr W. Brown of Abertillery, the third (as seen below) by Mr W. Adams, the contractor of Abertillery, the fourth by Mr A. Simmonds of London and the fifth by Rev D. S. Williams, on behalf of Mr R. L. Roberts, the architect, who was unable to attend.
Tea was later served at the Aberbeeg Council Schools where 200 people attended. The tables were presided over by the following – Mrs Mitchell; Jones; Tucker; Langley; Lane and Williams, assisted by Mrs T. Jones; Lippiat and Thatcher: In the evening a meeting was held at the Aberbeeg Schools presided over by Councillor W. Thomas, speakers were as follows – Mr Theo Evans; Mr Alf Hill of Cwmtillery; Mr J. Burge and Rev J. Lush: At the end of the evening it was announced that £80. had been raised on the day.
Description of the New Chapel and Schoolrooms.
The new Primitive Methodist Chapel at Aberbeeg was built to accommodate 400 worshippers, according to plans by Mr R. L. Roberts and was constructed at a cost of £1,400, although there was a conflicting report of the cost being £1,360. The heating was carried out by Mr Alfred Jones, engineer of Abertillery and Mr R. J. Ayres was responsible for all decoration. The chapel was constructed from blue pennant stone facings and buff bricks.
The Contractor and Architect.
The contractor was Mr Moses Adams of Abertillery and the architect was Mr R. L. Roberts of Abercarn.
The Official Opening of the New Methodist Chapel Schoolrooms – Aberbeeg.
On Sunday 21st of January 1906 the New Methodist Chapel Schoolrooms were officially opened. The opening ceremony was conducted by Rev Lush and Councillor W. Thomas. During the evening Councillor Thomas gave an address on the work of the Sunday School.
The Official Opening of the New Methodist Chapel – Aberbeeg.
On Sunday 8th of April 1906, the New Methodist Chapel at Aberbeeg was officially opened.
The Registration for Solemnizing Marriages.
On Wednesday 7th of June 1933, a notice of the registration for the solemnizing of marriages at the Methodist Chapel, Aberbeeg was printed in the London Gazette.
The First Wedding at the New Methodist Chapel.
On Sunday 16th of July 1933, the first wedding took place at the Methodist Chapel, Aberbeeg, it was that of Mr Leonard Jones and Miss Ethel Williams. The groom, Mr Leonard Jones was the son of Mr and Mrs W. E. Jones of Crickhowell and Caerphilly. The bride was the daughter of Joseph and Alice Williams of Frampton Crescent, Aberbeeg, Mr Joseph Williams was said to have been a pioneer of Primitive Methodism in the district. To mark the event, the trustees presented the couple with a bound bible. The vicar was Rev R. Mort. The bride was given away by her brother Mr Jesse Williams and was aided by Misses Clare Williams and Thelma Thomas. The best man was Mr Jack Davies. The organist was Mr D. J. Williams, a brother of the bride.
The Closure of the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Aberbeeg.
The last service at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Aberbeeg was a Thanksgiving Service held on the 22nd of August 2018.
The Cancellation of Registration.
A report in the London Gazette dated 11th of June 2019, stated a notice of cancellation of registration of the building.
The Sale of the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Aberbeeg.
In October 2019 the Primitive Methodist Chapel was put up for sale.
(More information to come).