CAERSALEM CHAPEL, DOWLAIS

In 1817 a Baptist Cause was founded in Dowlais and met in the old Bethel Chapel. In 1820 it was decided to build a new chapel so a plot of land just under 300 square yards, was leased from the Dowlais Iron Company for 99 years at an annual rent of £1.14s.11d, and the chapel was built at a cost of £500. Within three years of opening, the congregation had increased and a gallery had to be built at a cost of £150. Caersalem was still considered as a branch of Zion Chapel, Twynyrodyn until 1829 when it gained its independence.

As the congregation grew, a new chapel was required and a new chapel designed by Mr William Lewis, foreman carpenter at the Dowlais Ironworks was built in 1833 at a cost of £509.9s.3d. The congregation grew to such an extent that three new churches were established, originally as branches of Caersalem:- Elim, Penydarren, Hebron and Moriah, and Caersalem was itself refurbished in 1852 at a cost of £650. In 1863 a cottage situated underneath the chapel was converted into a vestry and in 1873 a baptistery was installed.

Caersalem Chapel was forced to close and was finally demolished in 1977 due to the redevelopment of Dowlais. A new chapel was built in 1977 in Pant and is still in use.

Steve Brewer