Ithon Road Church

Ithon Road Church in Llandrindod Wells is a former Calvinistic Methodist chapel that, after generations of worship, has become a community venue. The building on Ithon Road is Grade II listed and is one of the distinctive landmarks of this Welsh spa town.

Where is Ithon Road Church?

The church stands in Llandrindod Wells, a town in mid Wales, in the county of Powys. Its coordinates are roughly 52.2400 N, 3.3832 W. The Albert Hall, which has a long historical link with the chapel, sits right next door.

How did the chapel begin?

A permanent chapel was established in 1870 on land given by Henry Hurst. It replaced a temporary wooden building that stood near the Gwalia Buildings. It opened on 1 November 1870. John Lewis, a native of Howey and an advocate of Calvinistic Methodism, played a major part in making it happen.

Llandrindod Wells was growing as a spa resort at the time, and summer brought visitors, including Welsh speakers. The chapel served a congregation that wanted to worship in its own language.

Why was the Albert Hall built next door?

In 1896 the Albert Hall was built beside the chapel to take the overflow, especially for Welsh-language services during the summer visitor season. For a long time the two buildings stood side by side and complemented each other.

What does the present building look like?

The original building was replaced in 1904-05 by a new structure designed by William Beddoe Rees, an architect from Cardiff. It is in the Arts and Crafts style with a Gothic interior, and its notable features include a tower and spire. The plans are held by the Powys Record Office. The building is Grade II listed.

In the Coflein records, kept by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the site appears as an English Presbyterian and Calvinistic Methodist chapel. You will therefore see several labels for its denomination: Calvinistic Methodist, Presbyterian, or the combined name used in the register.

What is happening with the chapel today?

In 2023 Ithon Road Presbyterian Chapel closed its doors because the congregation had become too small to continue. The building was not abandoned, though. According to The Ithon Centre, the former chapel was saved by its neighbours at The Albert Hall and now operates as a multi-purpose community venue called The Ithon Centre.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ithon Road Church still a working church? No. Services ended in 2023. The building now serves as a community centre.

Who designed the current building? William Beddoe Rees, an architect from Cardiff. It was built in 1904-05.

Is the building listed? Yes, it is Grade II listed.

What stands next to the chapel? The Albert Hall, built in 1896 as extra space for worshippers, especially Welsh-speaking ones in the summer season.

Who is the place for? Visitors interested in chapel architecture, Welsh history and the spa heritage of Llandrindod Wells. Look for the tower and spire and the neighbouring Albert Hall, and check current events at The Ithon Centre before you go.

Why is it worth noticing?

Ithon Road Church shows how Welsh religious heritage can find a new life. The change from a place of worship to a community centre has kept a building of architectural and historical value in use. For anyone walking around Llandrindod Wells it is an interesting stop: you can see Arts and Crafts style with Gothic touches, along with traces of the town's former spa season, when it drew summer visitors.