Ynysgau Chapel, Merthyr Tydfil


Ynysgau Chapel was one of the earliest chapels in Merthyr Tydfil. The cause dated back to 1749 and services were held in the Welsh language. The chapel was demolished in 1967 as part of the Merthyr Town Improvement Scheme.

Early history

The original cause at Ynysgau was established by various ‘Dissenters’ from the Church of England. It was acquired by the Independents by the early nineteenth century.
A new chapel was built in the 1850s and opened on Easter Sunday, 1854. A contemporary account described the new building as a "new structure of much architectural beauty, decorated with coloured glass windows." This was the final building to house the chapel.
Facing the chapel was the Old Iron Bridge of 1800, and the later Ynsgau Bridge of 1880. These were both demolished in 1963, as part of the same river and road improvement works which saw the chapel demolished.