Capel Methodistiaid Calfinaidd was built in 1905 - the fifth chapel serving the village of Llithfaen on the Llŷn peninsula in north Wales - as a religious and social focus for the community. Built at a time of prosperity for the quarrying industry in the area, it is a reminder of the non-conformist religious revival that swept through Wales at the start of the 20th century. Its decline as a place of worship is part of a pattern repeated in many places across Wales and the UK. However, Hafod Ceiri, a local enterprise, has a new vision for this imposing Grade II* listed building at the heart of its community.
Hafod Ceiri plans to adapt the chapel by creating a performance space in a newly installed first floor, with audience seating for 300 in the original gallery. On the ground floor a small community cinema and three business start-up units for community enterprises will be accompanied by a café located in a glazed extension with panoramic views looking south over the Llŷn. In the adjoining vestry, the large open-plan school room will be divided: an education space, that will also be used for Sunday worship by the remaining congregation, in the northern half and two family bunk house accommodation units capitalising on the stunning views to the south.
Project development grants from the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable Hafod Ceiri to employ a part-time officer who will coordinate the project’s development and hopefully unlock further grants to help realise their vision for the building and the community.
Matthew Mckeague, Chief Executive of the Architectural Heritage Fund, commented: ‘The challenges facing many of our listed churches and chapels are well known. But positive visions of how these buildings can be reused for 21st century communities, like the one Hafod Ceiri has for Capel Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, could provide both a sustainable new use as well as retaining part of the chapel as a place of worship. We look forward to supporting the plans as they develop.’
This award has been made under the newly launched Cywaith Legacy Fund. This fund is open to community-led organisations operating in Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy to find sustainable, new uses for historic buildings. Ideally the building is listed and / or located in a conservation area. It may also be on an ‘at risk’ register. We encourage community ownership of heritage assets and the growth of community businesses. We will prioritise projects which have the potential to make a significant social impact.
Adeiladwyd Capel Methodistiaid Calfinaidd ym 1905 - y pumed capel i weini cymuned Llithfaen ym Mhen Llŷn - fel canolfan crefyddol a chymdeithasol. Fe’i hadeiladwyd yn ystod cyfnod o ffyniant yn y diwydiant chwarelu, mae’n atgof o ddiwygiad crefyddol ar gychwyn yr 20fed ganrif a chwythodd ar draws Cymru. Nad yw ei dirywiad fel man addoli yn unigryw i Lithfaen, mae’n rhan o batrwm sy’n digwydd mewn llawer o lefydd ar hyd a lled Cymru a’r DU. Fodd bynnag, mae gan Hafod Ceiri, menter gymdeithasol leol, weledigaeth newydd ar gyfer yr adeilad mawreddog rhestredig Gradd II* ynghanol ei chymuned.
Mae Hafod Ceiri yn cynllunio i addasu’r capel gan greu man perfformio ar y llawr gyntaf newydd sbon gyda seddau i’r gynulleidfa hyd at 300 yn y galeri gwreiddiol. Ar y llawr gwaelod fe fydd sinema fechan a thair uned dechrau busnes ar gyfer mentrau cymdeithasol ochr ac ochr â chaffi mewn estyniad gwydrog newydd gyda golygfa banoramig i’r de dros Ben Llŷn. Caiff yr ystafell fawr yn y festri drws nesaf ei rhannu: fe fydd man addysg i’r gogledd, a fydd yn cael ei defnyddio ar gyfer addoli ar ddyddiau Sul gan aelodau presennol, a dwy uned byncws i deuluoedd yn manteisio ar olygfa odidog i’r de.
Fe fydd grantiau datblygu prosiect gan y Gronfa Treftadaeth Bensaernïol a Chronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri yn rhoi grym i Hafod Ceiri cyflogi swyddog rhan-amser a fydd yn cydlynu datblygu’r prosiect gyda’r nod o sicrhau grantiau pellach i gyflawni’u gweledigaeth ar gyfer yr adeilad a’r gymuned. Meddai Matthew Mckeague, Prif Weithredwr y Gronfa Treftadaeth Bensaernïol: “Mae’r heriau sy’n wynebu llawer o gapeli ac eglwysi rhestredig yn adnabyddus. Fodd bynnag, fe allai cynlluniau creadigol o ail-ddefnyddio’r adeiladau hyn i gymunedau yn yr 21ain ganrif, fel gweledigaeth Hafod Ceiri ar gyfer Capel Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, ddarparu defnydd newydd cynhaliol a chadw rhan o’r capel fel man addoli. Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at gefnogi’r cynlluniau wrth iddyn nhw ddatblygu.”
Dyfarnodd y grant hwn o dan y Gronfa Gwaddol Cywaith a lansiodd yn ddiweddar. Mae’r gronfa hon ar agor i gyrff dielw dan arweiniad cymunedol sy’n gweithio yng Ngwynedd, Ynys Môn a Chonwy i ddod o hyd i ddefnyddiau newydd a chynhaliol ar gyfer adeiladau hanesyddol. Yn ddelfrydol mae’r adeilad yn rhestredig a / neu lleolir mewn ardal cadwraeth. Efallai bod yr adeilad hefyd ar restr ‘mewn perygl’. Rydym yn annog cymunedau cael perchen ar asedau treftadaeth a thwf o fusnesau cymunedol. Byddwn yn rhoi blaenoriaeth i brosiectau sydd â photensial i wneud effaith gymdeithasol sylweddol.
