Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Chapel

Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Chapel stands in The Hayes, at the heart of Cardiff. Built in 1821, it was enlarged and rebuilt between 1862 and 1865 under local architect J. Hartland and Son in an Italianate style. The front shows signs of earlier work, with one stair tower jutting past the main face and four upper windows set off-centre inside. The façade is set back behind wrought-iron railings and two gate pillars, with two storeys and a stair tower at each corner. Painted stucco covers the walls, and the parapet bears the words BUILT 1821, TABERNACLE and REBUILT 1865. The chapel is recognised for its ambitious design and fine interior. Inside, a high gallery runs round all four sides on wrought-iron rails supported by iron columns. The flat coffered ceiling holds a large rose, and a wide arch frames the organ and wooden pulpit at the rear. Stained glass windows include a pair of round-headed upper windows installed in 1928, showing colourful Bible scenes such as the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. These images are unusual in a nonconformist church and were placed in memory of the former minister Charles Davies. Tabernacle Chapel has been a Grade II* listed building since 1975. It also holds a place in broadcasting history, having hosted the first Songs of Praise television programme on 1 October 1961. The chapel returned to the screen in June 2011 for the programme’s 50th anniversary edition.