Capel Coelbren

About Capel Coelbren

Capel Coelbren – Coelbren Chapel in English – serves the rural village of Coelbren, Powys, just outside Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. It is one of the oldest church buildings in our Ministry Area. Capel Coelbren is unusual in having no dedication to a saint. It is thought to have originated as a chapel of ease for the monks from Neath Abbey, the grounds of which extended a few miles beyond the village, and possibly people they employed. There is no certainty as to the age of the building. The eastern half of the nave is judged to be Elizabethan. The building fell into disrepair during the 19th century, and was renovated in 1885, with the chancel being added in 1905 and the western half of the nave added in 1914. The present building seats approximately 120.