Raglan and Kingcoed Baptist Chapel History of Buildings

Raglan and Kingcoed Baptist Chapel buildings

1813 – 1820 – House church

1820 – 1863 – Goff Free School, Chapel, Manse and Graveyard on East side of Usk Road across from the Crown

1845 – present – Kingcoed Chapel

1863 – present – New Raglan Baptist Church constructed on the West side of Usk Road between The Laurel’s and The Chestnut’s

1947 – present – The Laurels purchased by Raglan Church Trust for use as a Manse. Now converted to be a fellowship centre

undated – Raglan field (Chetwynd property at Crown Corner) (refer 1962 RBC minute book)

misc – Dean Cottage, Chepstow Road, residence of 3 Ministers between 1835 - 1920

1841, Tithe Map.

/ Lot 510: Chapel House & garden, Usk Road, owned by Trustees of Baptist Church (John Stone, Tho. Wright & Tho. Boyer), Occupied by John Harris, Baptist Minister, age 35, wife Elizabeth Harris, age 45 and Thomas Prosser, age 80 (Ind)
Lot 514: House and garden owned by Mary Holmes, occupied by Samuel Smith, 56, mason, wife Blanche, 60; James, 24 and Ann, 21.
Lot 515: House & gardens, owner & occupier: Thomas Jones, plasterer, 50, Mary, 43, Elizabeth Hill, 28, Ind.
Lot 519: Cottages and Gardens. Owner: Sir George Chetwynd & H Sparrow. Occupier: Ann Lewis, 40 (lived at lot 545, The Orchard,

House Church

The earliest records of Baptists in Raglan begin in 1813 with house services in the home of Phillip Lewis attended by Micah Thomas, Evan Herbert, John Rowland and J. Wyke.

1813, February 12; Particular Baptist; the house of Phillip Lewis; Micah Thomas, Evan Herbert, John Rowland, J. Wyke; No. 606. (Endorsed: Registered 1813, February 19.) Undated (endorsed: Registered 1813, March 1); Particular Baptist; the house of Thomas Evans; Thomas Lewis, James Edmunds, the said Thomas Evans; No. 607.

1817, April 3; Protestant (endorsed: Baptist); the dwelling-house of William Williams, freeholder; the said William Williams, John Probyn, Thomas Evans; No. 608. (Endorsed: Received 1817, May 5.)

A Free School was established in 1817 for the poor children in Raglan by the Goff Trust. Edward Goff, a Baptist, left funds in his will to pay for a schoolhouse and residence for a schoolmaster. Between 1817-1821 the trustees rented a house in the Village for the school. In 1821, a school and Baptist Chapel were built. The first teachers/pastors were Christopher Passmore, Thomas Harris and later his brother John Harris.[1][2]

The Free school was open to all poor children without distinction and without limitation to the particular parish. Children were taught reading, writing and ‘the first four rules of arithmetic’. Instruction was entirely free of charge, the only payments made by the scholars were very trifling ones ‘for firing during the winter months’. A Sunday school was attached to the school at which attendance was voluntary. The Goff Free school located on Usk road is now a private residence.

The Trustees of F Goff were responsible for hiring a schoolmaster for this school. The schoolmaster was then appointed to the position of Pastor by the Deacons of Raglan Baptist Church. In 1856, the Deacons attempted to purchase the Chapel but were unable to complete this purchase due to concerns raised by the Charity Commission. The chapel continued to deteriorate and in 1863, a new Chapel was constructed for the congregation across Usk Road.

Old Chapel/Baptist Schoolroom and Caretaker’s Cottage

1820, October 28; Baptist; a new chapel built, called “Ebenezer”; W. Jones, Thomas Thomas, Evan Llewellyn; No. 609. (Endorsed: 1820, November 3.). In 1820 a chapel was built across from the Crown Inn with a graveyard situated between it and the road. It was used as a Chapel, day school and Sunday school with the minister acting as schoolmaster. The land contained 355 square yards or thereabouts having a frontage of 38 feet or thereabouts to the highway from Usk to Raglan and a depth therefrom of 84 feet or thereabouts, together with the buildings known as the Baptist Schoolroom and Caretaker’s Cottage erected thereon (source: 15 August, 1941 Charity Commission order)

1856, Deacons attempt to purchase Old Chapel/Free school from Goff Trustees. Nb. At this time the Duke of Beaufort was building a National School on Chepstow Road and it was thought that all the village children would attend this school. The Old Chapel was in a poor condition with much work needed.

1856, minutes from Baptist Records Book. (RB078 onward) March 12. Proposed by Thomas Jones and seconded by William Williams, that the Deacons of this church be and are hereby empowerd to offer Trustees of the late Mr Edward Goff the sum of 80.0.0pds for the premises used as a chapel and dwelling house by this Church and its Minister and also that the said Trustees or their successors shall be at liberty to use the Chapel for the purposes of a day school without the payment of rent. Carried unanimously.

April 13. A communication was read from the Trustees of the late Mr E. Goff in which they expressed a desire to get 100pds for the premises above mentioned. The Church thought 100pds was more than it could give for the property. Proposed by John Jones and seconded by ? to offer the said Trustees the sum of 90pds for the said premises. Carried unanimously

April 30. The above named Trustees accepted the offer of 90pds for the above named premises, and the Church agreed to complete the purchase on or before the 25th of June next ensuing. And also to commence a subscription for the purpose of raising the required sum of 90pds.

May 28, 42pds promised towards the purchase of the Chapel. A communication was received from Mr Goff’s trustees stating that they found it necessary to consult the Charity Commissioners before completing the sale of the above named premises.

June 25. The following letter from Mr Goff’s Trustees was read, “Cheltenham. 12 June 1856. Dear Sir. We have at length received a reply from the Charity Commissioners which I am sorry to say is in the negative. The Secretary writes as follows, ‘I am to inform you that the Commissioners consider it desirable that such sale should be deferred until the school be entirely discontinued;. To this decision we are compelled to submit. He also writes,

‘There would appear however no reason why an adequate rent should not be paid by the congregation using it on Sundays as a place of Worship, and if the Congregation are willing to purchase the premises they could scarcely object to pay an annual sun by way of rental.’ To this I shall reply and explain that the people aid the salary, as we only give a return of what we actually pay. You can inform the people what they say. It must now go on as at present until the agreement has been fairly tried in reference to the school. I am Dear sir, yours very truly. J Hone

Dec 7, 1856 – Unanimously resolved to instruct the Deacons to procure a new grate for the Chapel. And also to hold a social meeting on Xmas day.

1857:

Jan 18th. It has been suggested that from the present dilapidated state of this place of worship no very long period will transpire before it will become necessary to repair it to a considerable extend or otherwise rebuild as the case may require. In order therefore to anticipate on to meet the probable future requirements of the Chapel, it was proposed by Mr John Jones and seconded by Mr Jas Williams that a weekly subscription be entered into by the members and the friends of the congregation as may feel so kindly desired as to assist. And that the amount be held by the Deacons to meet any emergency which may arise. Adopted unanimously.

At the same time the following persons were appointed collectors of the subsciption above resolved upon. Viz. Mr Edwards, Mr James Williams, Mr L Harris, Mr H Jones.

Feb 11 – Proposed by Mr J. Jones, seconded by Mr J Williams that immediately the walk from the road to the Chapel door be paved and that at the bottom of the garden a coal and a necessary house be built. The cost of the whole being estimated at five pounds. Adopted unanimously.

March 19 – Received circulars from the trustees announcing the necessity of their closing several of the schools supported by them unless the people connected with the buildings render them considerable more assistance than they have heretherto towards the support of the agents. On the 21st, the above subject was read before the friends and it was resolved to hold a special Church meeting on April the 1st to take the matters into consideration and circumstances of the people, the debt already incurred by recent improvements, the need of further repairs and various other things of a similar nature into consideration. It was resolved to state our position to the Trustees and while we are deeply sympathsizing with them, deprecating the closing of any of the schools – and deeply regretting our circumstances to inform them that at present we can do no more than we are doing to assist them and at the same time Mr J Jones was appointed to correspond with the trustees onn the subject

May – Resolved that having reason to anticipate strong objections thereto by the public, the building of the coal house etc as previously agreed upon be not proceeded with

1860 On 23rd March 1860, Indenture and 10 Nov. 1861 Declaration of Trust for the Raglan Baptist Chapel and Baptist and caretakers cottage came under the administration and management of The Baptist Union Corporation.

1870 Rates Book lists Rev. B Johnson at Old Chapel Cottage

1871 Census, B Johnson, Baptist Minister, Old Chapel

1881 Census, Edwin Beach (?), Old Chapel, age 34, ag lab, Monmouth, Ann, wife, age 24, Tregare

1891 Census, Charles Lewis, Old Chapel House, age 42, labourer, Whitchurch Hereford, wife Elizabeth, 40, / Mon, Arthur, 13, Tregare

1901 Census, Chapel Cottage, Usk Road, John Harris, Head, 32, castrator vet. B. Llansoy, Mon, wife Annie E Harris, age 22, Llandenny, Mon,

1939: The status of the Old Chapel and caretakers cottage came under the Charitable Trusts Act.

1941: Application was made on 20 May for the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd to administer and manage the property. Trustees, Edwin Price, Model Cottage, and Frank Shipway

1982: Old chapel purchased by Colwyn Roy and Rosemary Lillian Knight by Conveyance, 5 February 1982 between Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, trustee of Raglan Baptist Chapel Schoolroom and Caretaker’s Cottage Charity and Colwyn Roy Knight and Rosemary Lillian Knight, his wife, both of Berllan Glascoed, Pontypool, Gwent. At the time the cottage was under a demolition order. It was unoccupied and derelict. Reconstruction took place between 1982 – 1984. In 1985 the Gravestones in the Graveyard were moved to Kingcoed Chapel. The property was re-mortgaged in 1989 and subsequently sold to ??

2000 – Old Chapel purchased by Charles Fountain

Cadw: USK ROAD (EBENEZER), USK ROAD, RHAGLAN,Broad Class of Site: Religious, Ritual and FuneraryType of Site: CHAPELNPRN: 10806Period: Post Medieval Location Map reference: SO40NWGrid reference: SO41050767Community: Raglan Council: Monmouthshire Old County: Monmouthshire Site Description:Built in 1820. Built in the Simple Round-Headed style, short-wall entry type. Present status [2002]: unknown

Also see Raglan Baptist Church minute book for additional references to Chapel Cottage

Kingcoed Chapel

1845 – Kingcoed Chapel opened on 17 April 1845 by Rev. John Jones as a Closed Communion on land purchased from Rachel Jones in 1831. Purchase included about 4 perches of land purchased for £1. Leading from (Llanerthill) Hill towards Pencaereg Farm. Trustees: Frank Shipway, Model Cottage, Edwin Price, Caerwent. In 1941 the Baptist Union Corporation were administered and managed Kingcoed Chapel. Others involved were Walter Jones, John Jones, Isaac Pask and Michael Philips.

1895: Benjamin and Anne Johnson are buried at Kingcoed Chapel. Benjamin served as pastor of Raglan and Kincoed Baptist Churches for 37 years from 1858 to 1896.

1943: Caretaker of Kingcoed. The Secretary stated he had asked Miss E Edwards if she would take the job of caretaking of Kingcoed being that Mrs Davies was giving up owing to age and health reasons. Miss Edwards was prepared to do the caretaking. I was agreed to pay Mrs Davies to the end of the year although Miss Edwards would take on the duty for the present

April 25 1945

Kingcoed Centenary

It was decided to hold the Centenary Celebrations on June 28th 45. Invitation cards or leaflets to be obtained with photograph of the Chapel on front cover, giving times and order of Services, if possible the photo to be of the original with lead windows etc.

1948 - Late Harry Weeks of Kingcoed. The Secretary stated he had been asked would he receive a tablet in remembrance of Harry Weeks of Kingcoed who gave the supreme sacrifice during the War to be erected in Kingcoed Chapel. Harry Weeks was an old scholar at Kingcoed Sunday School. Mr S. Rogers proposed the tablet be received and erected and a special service held. All present agreed. The tablet was one of two given by the Llandenny Parish as a memorial.

Raglan Baptist Church – 1863

In 1863, under the leadership of Rev Ben Johnson, the current Raglan Baptist Church was constructed across from the Old Baptist Chapel/school on Usk road on land donated (or purchased) by Thomas Holmes of Ty-du (Blackhouse), Llanarth/Tregare. (note, the 1841 Tithe map lists Lot 514, House & gardens on Usk Road owned by Mary Holmes and occupied by Samuel Smith, mason). The new Chapel was built from bricks made by local brickyard nr Wilcae Brook.

According to a note in a record book from the 1960’s, Thomas Holmes of Blackhouse Farm sold the property to the Baptist Chapel on 3rd March, 1860. The cost of the land was £140. This information may have been transcribed from an indenture. If so, the witnesses were William Williams, farmer, John Jones, Shoemaker, The Elms. Adjoining premises James Mathews, W.E. Evans and J. Herbert. Other notations are 1826, John Holmes and Holmes Tregare

June 20 1945

Water mains service. The Secretary stated he had received a letter from the sanitary inspector granting permission to join up both the water and sewer mains from the Baptist Church. After some discussion it was decided that this matter be brought before a full officers meeting as soon as possible.

The Laurels/Manse/Fellowship Centre

Card: Benjamin Johnson, For 37 years the beloved and honoured pastor of the Baptist Church at Raglan. Fell asleep April 13th, 1895, Aged 72 years. Also Anne Rodway, beloved wife of the above. Departed this life on the following day, Aged 72 years. The Laurels, Raglan. Ruined by the Fall, Saved by grace, to Glory gone.

The Laurels was purchased by the Trustees of Raglan Baptist Church in 1945. Subsequently it was used by a manse and more recently as a fellowship centre. Dr Pook had a surgery at the Laurels during his early years in Raglan

July 19, 1944: Danger of well at The Laurels

The Secretary stated he had spoken to Mr & Mrs Harris regarding the ownership and if anything was on the Deeds belonging to the Laurels, Mr. & Mrs Harris stated that when they bought the property they were given to understand that the Chapel was entitled to use the well also the Cottage belonging to the Chapel for their water supply but that there was nothing relating to the well on the deeds. The Secretary had asked if they would rather fill the well in or put a safe cover on. Mr & Mrs Harris stated they would prefer the well covered in case of the need of water at some future date. After some discussion Mr S Rogers proposed that the Secretary see Mr & Mrs Harris and arrange to have the well made safe the Laurels being wiling to pay half the cost.(RBC minute book)

September 16 1945

Laurels for sale. The Secretary stated he had just received informatoin that a club were interested in the purchase of the Laurels for the use of a club. The Secretary pointed out that as a church we ought to make some effort to stop this as it would be a disastrous thing for the church to have this sort of thing adjoining the church and asked that the members discuss the matter at this meeting. After some discussion it was proposed by Mr S Rogers that the Church appoint 2 members with the Officers to go into the matter at once and that the Officers with the 3 persons appointed from the Church be give discretionary powers to purchase the Laurels for the Raglan Baptist Church. This was put to the Church and all present agreed.

September 20 1945

Laurels for sale. after discussion on various points regarding the Laurels the situation of same and also the possibility of a club being adjoining the Church it was agreed by all present that we as a Church must stop at nothing so as to defeat the designs of one of our greatest evils of today (NOTE: The Laurels was purchased by Raglan Church on 24th September 1945. A Thanksgiving & Memorial Fund appeal was printed to raise funds to cover the cost of purchase, renovate the church and establish a memorial for the War dead. The Laurels was let for 25/ per week exclusive of rates with the proviso that the house and/or garden may be used at sometime in the future by the Church. Later on October 24th, The Solicitor for the Baptist Union advised that the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd should be the Trustees for the Laurels seeing that they were already the Trustees for the Baptist Church - This was accepted by Raglan Church)