Jerusalem Independent Chapel

Jerusalem Independent Calvinist Chapel. Established In 1812. 

Worshipers in Burry Port walked through all weather the 4 miles to Capel Als in Llanelli for monthly communion, with weekly services held in the barns of local farms. Following a meeting at Mynydd Bach Chapel, Swansea, a decision was made to build a Chapel at Burry Port. Several Ministers were appointed in the early years. One Jonah Francis collected money for repayment of the building debt, spent it on drink and suddenly disappeared. 

In 1824 for reasons unknown to this day, the membership split into two camps. There was so much animosity, that one night an unidentified gang descended on the new Jerusalem Chapel and smashed every window in the building. The doors were subsequently closed until a new Minister was appointed. By 1855 Burry Port’s population surged, due to industrialisation. Jerusalem Chapel’s membership also expanded, mirroring the growth of the town. 

The original Chapel was demolished and the building you see today erected on its footprint. By 1926, membership had reached c.700 and following a meeting of the Minister and Trustees, a decision was made to modernise the Chapel interior. There was concern that older members would be unhappy with this. However, one of the oldest members at Jerusalem Mr William John of Pen-y-Bryn, known to everyone as 'Bili Shôn', stood up an spoke on the matter:

'Yr wyf fi yn mynd yn hen. Ond yr wyf am fod a rhan mewn rhoi capel newydd hardd I’r cenedlaethau a ddaw yma ar fy ôl' 

'I am getting old. But my wish is to be a part in handing over a new handsome chapel to the congregations who will attend at this place, long after I have gone'

This touched everyone’s heart and the entire congregation supported the proposed modernisation programme. An extensive renovation ensued, replacing the old Victorian identity with the more fashionable Art Nouveau concept of the 1920s. This included the woodwork and stained glass windows. Pillars supporting the gallery were replace with RSJs providing unrestricted view towards the pulpit. This is the Chapel you can see today.