The area
Bettws Penpont Church lies five miles west of Brecon, just off the A40. It was originally a chapel of ease for the western portion of Llanspyddid parish, before becoming a parish in its own right in 1880. The historic parish is small and rural, with around twenty scattered dwellings. Access to the church is via the front (east) drive of Penpont house. Follow the drive for about 250m then turn left. There is parking under the yew trees.
The church
A religious building is first recorded here in 1547 under the name ‘Capel Betus’, but there was almost certainly a chapel here from very much earlier. The name ‘bettws’ probably derives from the Old English ‘bed-hus’ or ‘bead house’ meaning a ‘place of prayer’.
An illustration of 1738 shows a simple building with a bell-cote at the west end. In 1777, this was replaced by a round tower topped by a dome or ‘cupolo’, described unflatteringly by Theophilus Jones as a ‘bee hive’. This was commissioned by Penry Williams, owner of the adjacent Penpont estate, from Brecon architect and builder Andrew Maund. In 1864, the church was almost entirely rebuilt to designs in the Early English style by Sir George Gilbert Scott, one of the principal architects of the gothic revival. Scott retained the round shape of the tower, replacing the dome with a distinctive conical roof, and added a circular apse at the east end. Scott was commissioned by The Revd Garnons Williams, who gave up his living as Vicar of Brecon to become minister here when he inherited the neighbouring Abercamlais estate. From 1880 he was Penpont’s first vicar.
The interior still includes the pulpit, pews and font designed by Scott as well as some fine stained glass by Hardman & Co, Powell & Sons and Burlison & Grylls. The organ is by Flight & Robson and was originally made for the Chapel Royal in Brighton. Inside there are memorials to many members of the Garnons Williams family and others who died serving their country, including Richard Davies Garnons Williams who played for Wales in the first rugby international against England in 1881. The churchyard is a charming and surrounded by yew trees, including one of very great size and age. The Penpont and Abercamlais families, along with many local people, are buried here, as are the Lloyds of Dinas and Gwenllian Morgan, whose father The Revd Philip Howell Morgan, minister here for many years, is buried next to her.
Churchwardens and Ministry Area Council Member
Churchwarden – Andrea Ballance email: andreajballance@gmail.com
Ministry Area Council Member – Neville Williams email: neville.williams@outlook.com