This is a recording of a talk called Welsh Nonconformist Chapels which was recorded on 26th September 2023.
This talk explores the importance of nonconformity and its buildings in the heritage of Wales and strategies for their protection and continued appreciation and understanding.
Nonconformity became the established religion of Wales in the 19th century resulting ‘in the elevation of the Welsh … to the highest rank amongst the enlightened Protestant nations of the world’. Thousands of chapels were built and rebuilt by the Calvinistic Methodists, Independents, Baptists, Wesleyan Methodists, and other denominations. The numbers equate to a chapel going up approximately every six days!
This period saw the development of chapel buildings from the small and simple vernacular, to the grandest of show-fronted chapels with ornate auditoria. The building of such chapels in every community means that they are the Welsh architectural icon, giving a unique sense of place across Wales from industrial cities to rural landscapes.
The later 20th century saw a substantial decline in chapel attendance resulting in widespread closures. This has led to demolition, dereliction, or conversion (with varying degrees of sympathy) on a massive scale. With many congregations continuing to decrease in numbers, chapels still in use face enormous pressures and Wales is in danger of losing even the most historically and architecturally important nonconformist chapels.
Susan Fielding is Senior Investigator for Historic Buildings at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales where she is responsible for the thematic projects programme. Current areas of work include the recording and researching of Places of Worship, managing the Royal Commission’s long running Chapels Recording Project, and the built heritage of the Twentieth century.
She works closely with Addoldai Cymru: the Welsh Religious Buildings Trust, including on the project ‘Digital Dissent: A Virtual Museum of Nonconformity’, and Capel: The Chapels Historical Society. She has also participated in a number of heritage initiatives around the support for faith buildings including Visit Wales’s Faith Tourism Action Plan, Sacred Wales, and the Historic Places of Worship forum. Susan also actively investigates and promotes the use of digital technologies for the recording and dissemination of heritage.
After booking a ticket, you will be given access to the recording of the event. Please ignore the event date in the listings.
This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.
The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider.
