Tabernacl Independent Chapel

Tabernacle Chapel is an Independent (Congregational) chapel in the town of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was built in 1872 and is located at 17 Cowell Street. It is a Grade II* listed building. Tabernacle Chapel was erected at a time when Llanelli had become a significant regional producer of tinplate and steel; the population was growing strongly and needed more buildings in which to worship. It was designed by John Humphrey and was similar to the chapels he designed in Llanidloes and Morriston. The façade is temple-like and combines an arcade with a portico, underneath which is an unusual arrangement of windows and stone-banding. The façade's style is a combination of Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Italianate and Greek. Inside the chapel, the plaster roof has curved ribbing and there is a curved gallery with a pierced semi-barrier above a low veneered-walnut wall. The pulpit is much-arched and covered in fine fretwork; behind it is an organ gallery, installed in 1901 by Vowles. The chapel was designated a Grade II* listed building on 3 December 1992, the reason for listing being that it is "a fine example of John Humphreys' distinctive style in chapel building, and probably the most elaborate chapel in Llanelli". The listing includes the spearhead railings with twisted uprights on Cowell Street and the two sets of iron gates. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales curates the archaeological, architectural and historic records for this chapel. These include numerous digital photographs and a collection of colour slides.