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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joanne Ridout

Derelict stone countryside chapel is the perfect renovation project and it comes with all the graves

There's a charming chapel nestled within a quiet dell at the bottom of a valley, hidden in a remote spot in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside looking for a saviour to buy it, save it and transform it.

But first you have to find it.

To get to the remote characterful stone building called Beulah Chapel, you have to wander down multiple country lanes and cross two pretty stone arched bridges over a babbling brook; the setting is truly idyllic.

The location might be remote but the history of the area runs right through it, and not just via the chapel.

According to the estate agent selling the chapel, the building is adjacent to the historic railway line that used to transport slate from the nearby Rosebury quarry, although the only thing to be seen on the train line for many years is the local wildlife and wildflowers.

Although shrouded in silence, the chapel is not too far away from the nearest human habitation.

Called Beulah Chapel the property is nestled within a pretty valley (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
Even the lane to the chapel is a classic countryside route, over a brook via a stone bridge (Google street view)
Surrounded by glorious Pembrokeshire countryside (Google street view)

The tiny hamlet of Little Newcastle is just half a mile up the hill, but for amenities the village of Letterston is down a few lanes, about three miles away.

If the coast is calling, the nearest beach with facilities is at Fishguard, about seven miles to the north of the chapel.

But as the photo from about 1924 illustrates, the valley regularly became a bustling hub of the community with worshippers from the surrounding villages visiting the chapel.

The photograph also shows that there used to be a cottage next door and the rubble remains of this former home can still be found under the overgrowth on the land adjacent to the chapel that comes with the sale.

Chapel full of character inside and out (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
Beulah chapel in around 1924 shows how popular it was and that there used to be a cottage next door (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

Years of research by a local historian and supplied to the estate agent gives a valuable insight into the history and the architecture of this attractive chapel and site.

The research has revealed that there has been a house registered as a meeting place for nonconformists in Little Newcastle as early as 1697, which, if true, means that the religious cause in the village is one of the oldest in the county.

Records show that between 1701-1740, there were 43 members in that church, composed of people from Little Newcastle and surrounding parishes.

The religious cause in the area received a dramatic boost in 1795 when a major local revival broke out in the area known as 'The Puncheston Revival'.

The dozens of members who made the trek to Llangloffan began to dream of having their own chapel and eventually settled for the site now occupied by Beulah chapel.

The first version of the chapel was opened in 1808 and the first sermon was preached on the Easter Monday of that year.

The property was rebuilt in 1874, and then again in 1887, but the building that is currently for sale has barely been touched, apart from a few repairs, since the builders packed up their gear and left the site in 1910.

With dwindling membership, the ending of the Sunday school and the demolition of the stables, vestry and Beulah cottage next door, the chapel has experienced a steady decline.

The Pembrokeshire chapel closed in 2019 and is now looking for a new owner to save it from the slide into further dereliction and create an exciting new chapter in its history.

Impressive front door (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
Charming entrance floor (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

Inside and out, the building and its approximate one acre of land offers a unique property renovation proposition, oozing character and history.

Described in the past as a building with art nouveau-style overtones, its internal layout is typical of a traditional Welsh chapel with a gable entry.

Approach the robust stone entrance, push open the double front doors and the charming original features begin immediately.

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The entrance hall vestibule boasts period floor tiles below and above you are greeted by a pretty stained glass window that can be admired from the entrance but also from inside the main chapel on the other side.

This beautiful five-bay window bears the inscription 'Un Arglwydd, Un Ffydd, Un Bedydd' which translated into English means 'One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism'.

Beautiful window with Welsh language inscription (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
Stained glass window can be appreciated from both sides (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

Inside the main room, the chapel has a layout you might expect, filled with pews and two aisles downstairs, and a first-floor mezzanine of seating that wraps around three walls.

The distinctive ceiling is definitely worth noticing, and not just for the attractive exposed wood beams.

Blocks of the central section of the ceiling are raised higher than the outer areas and this is believed to have been designed to enhance the singing.

Although, imagining this 300-seat chapel packed full of local Welsh residents belting out hymns in perfect harmony, it's hard to think they needed any assistance at all.

View from the first floor looking down over the pews and pulpit (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
View from the pulpit (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

Whilst considering singing and music, the ground floor pews partially hide an integrated harmonium as the main musical accompaniment in the chapel's most recent past, thought to have been installed in the 1930s.

Although defunct, what an incredible feature to still remain and hopefully be incorporated into the new plans for the chapel as a major slice of the property's past - a fantastic talking point for any visitor.

Upstairs, although in a more derelict state due to damp and mildew, the main chapel window at the front is a glorious sight to behold.

The central section of the main window is clear glass, but all the window sections either side can boast beautiful green glass that gives the whole wall a soft green glow and is most likely the main source of the chapel's perceived echoes of art nouveau design.

Distinctive ceiling designed to enhance the singing (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
Main window with stunning green glass (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

The chapel is being sold with all the pews, pulpit and everything still in place, apart from four gas lamps, including all the fine quality woodwork, although some, of course, will need restoration.

And so to the outside and to the feature of the property that probably provides the biggest talking point; the graveyard that comes with the sale.

It's not unusual for a historic chapel or church on the market to come with the graves in the garden but Beulah can offer up to one acre of land to create your own private section of garden too.

There are two large slices that are grave-free that could become a glorious garden, next to the chapel where the cottage once stood and the back section of the land.

The sale comes with about an acre of land (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
The sale comes with the graveyard (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

Under the overgrowth, there may be some room for a seating area right next to the chapel too, although it's hard to see if there are any graves already occupying that space.

The chapel is being sold by the Baptist Union, and a spokesperson for the organisation says: "The situation with the graveyard is that the purchaser will enter into an agreement which contains a covenant stating various regulations to which he/she will be required to adhere.

"Some of the regulations will be those imposed by law and the actual terms themselves will be discussed by both solicitors at the time of forming the agreement."

Most covenants that come with a church or chapel sale cover aspects such as the future maintenance of the sections of the land with graves and the limited access to the graves by the public.

But the specific details for Beulah need to be discovered and discussed by the buyer's legal representation.

The back section of the land has no graves (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
Site of the former Beulah cottage, described as an 'interesting proposition' (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)

The chapel is not listed but is full of character that is worth saving and restoring as much as possible - its original features are the very essence of what makes this property unique, as well as the beautiful setting.

Although the chapel would need planning permission to convert it into a dwelling of course, it gives a potential new owner the potential to own a peaceful spot in the glorious and popular Pembrokeshire countryside.

The building is a robust stone structure that needs a new lease of life (R K Lucas & Son, Haverfordwest)
If you can get planning permission, what a stunning place to live or regularly visit for a break (Google street view)

Jack Rees from R K Lucas estate agents who is handling the sale of the chapel says: "The design of the chapel ideally lends itself to a sympathetic conversion into a two-storey residential dwelling, subject to planning consent.

"Given its location and substantial grounds, I am sure it will be popular with those looking to design their dream home in the heart of rural Pembrokeshire and the site of the derelict cottage is also an added and interesting prospect.

"The value, if converted, is very difficult to determine as it would depend on what planning permission was granted, what finish was applied, how many bedrooms etc.

"However, if resale is an option once renovated, there are few converted chapels within Wales for sale at the moment ranging in value between £150,000 and £325,000 depending on number of bedrooms and location."

But once you've done all the hard work to revive and restore Beulah Chapel and you are sitting at the huge window looking out over the stunning surrounding scenery, it might be very hard to even consider thinking about selling it on; maybe just enjoy the property fruits of your labour instead.

The charming chapel in the most pretty of settings is for sale for offers in excess of £60,000 with estate agent R K Lucas, call their Haverfordwest branch on 01437 762538 to find out more.

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