History

Groeswen, built in 1742, was the first Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Wales. The burial ground was acquired in the period 1798-1801, and was extended E in 1865. It is known as the 'Westminster of Wales' because of the fine collection of displayful monuments to ministers, benefactors of the chapel, and local bards.

The large, central monument is to Thomas James Thomas of Brynawel, Ynyshir, a coalmaster who died on 31st May, 1885. Commemorated with him is Rachel Thomas (d. 1912). The monument to the L is dedicated to William John (d. 1878), while that to the R is to Thomas Isaac (d. 1880).

Exterior

Triple-stem tomb set within balustrading, all in white granite. On a coursed masonry plinth including the entrance to a vault. The central stem is higher, and consists of a tall square base with trefoil-headed blind arches supported on colonnettes with decorative capitals. Surmounted by a high cornice with a moulded round arch to each face, and urns rising from the angles. Above is a draped urn with wreath, set diagonally on a pedestal with festoons.

The flanking stems are in a plainer style: a square base with inscribed ogee arch to each face, with low-relief foliage to the spandrels, surmounted by a deep moulded cornice. Above is a short obelisk bearing a wreath and supporting a plain urn. The balustrading has large shaped posts at the angles, and in the centre of the front and rear sides. The inscriptions are on the front face of each base.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a particularly fine funerary monument, unusually displayful in a non-conformist context.
Group value with Groeswen Chapel and other listed monuments in the burial ground.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29499038

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version