Built in 1860 to replace the first Primitive Methodist Chapel in Tower Lane, which was destroyed in a fire, Jubilee was a grand affair seating 600 people.
An account of its opening appeared in The Cambrian, 5 April 1861. It was built in the classical style, ‘with Gibbsian surround’ to the central door. The architect was Thomas Thomas (1817-88), who came from Swansea, and was the most important architect of nonconformist chapels in Wales, producing plans for over 800 chapels.
The minister at the time was Rev George Dobson, and the trustees were John Rees Brenton of Swansea, rate collector, John Excell of Swansea, tea dealer, Samuel Richards of Hafod near Swansea, copperman, Abraham Sutton of Swansea, outfitter, William Henry Standbury of Swansea, plumber, James Frost of Swansea, potter, Thomas Beynon of Swansea, plumber, Thomas Griffiths of Swansea, master mariner, John Taylor of Blackpill in Oystermouth, labourer, and Benjamin Sneyd of Morriston in Llangyfelach, brick manufacturer.
The chapel was destroyed during the bombing of Swansea during the Second World War. It was situated in Pell Street, facing Horton Street, and the site is now a car park.
Source
S Hughes, ‘Thomas Thomas, 1817-88: the first national architect of Wales’, reprinted from Archaeologia Cambrensis, 152, 2003.
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G Dobson describes the opening in the Primitive Methodist magazine of July 1861 (pages 436-7). The chapel opened before it was completely finished on 29th March 1861. Speakers included W. H. Michael, Esq., Rev.J. B. Brown, B.A., (Independent), of London, Revs. W. Lindley, (Wesleyan), J. H. Hill (Baptist), Captain Hill (Sailors’ Missionary), Mr. T. Shields, circuit preacher and Rev.W. Antliff, of Oldham. The preachers also included the Rev. T. Thomas, architect of the chapel. Celebrations included tea for 700.
The chapel seated 750 and cost £1,000.
George Dobson tells us about the laying of the foundation stone of the Jubilee chapel by WH Michael on May 22nd 1860, in the Primitive Methodist magazine (September pp. 554-555). Never mind the chapel, “in excavating the new Swansea docks, the workmen found at great depths the head, horns, and certain bones of a prodigious Ox, far surpassing in size, the very largest of our modern species of that animal.“
The new chapel would hold 800. The stone was laid by W. H. Michael; preachers were W. H. Michael, Rev. Davies (minister), Rev. W.Jones, T. Thomas and Rev. T. Hobson. Donors included W. H. Michael, Rev. Davies (minister), Rev. W.Jones, T. Thomas and Rev. T. Hobson.
See the article about the Owen family, who attended Pell Street Primitive Methodist Church.
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