Inside Tabor

I had the good fortune to see inside the chapel I blipped recently here. Non-conformist places of worship are kept locked and even peeping through the window isn't easy so this was a rare opportunity.

The layout with the box pews and pillared gallery is a standard one but what surprised me was the stained glass window and the pink and green ceiling rose. Such adornments were generally frowned by the dissenters who favoured more austere forms of worship. But this was a sea-faring village where sailors who survived the perils of the ocean wave enjoyed considerable prosperity. Master mariners not only built themselves well-appointed retirement homes but also gave thanks by funding their religious community. The window was presented to the chapel by Captain William Morris Cape of Good Hope in memory of his mother and grandmother. The inscription would be a permanent reminder of the good captain's generosity.

Likewise the clock in the vestry was provided by another captain at a later date (1923) and carries on its face the words Cofiar morwyr - Remember the sailors.

The chapel was built to accommodate 400 worshippers. Today the congregation is only 10% of that.