Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A.P.A.C. Ltd.
Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
REPORT
By: Dr N Phillips.
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
Summary
This document comprises the report for a level II building recording survey at the
former Isca Mission Chapel at Carleon.
Copyright Notice:
A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains
otherwise with the Ordnance Survey.
1
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
Contents
Summary .........................................................................................................................................1
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
Appendices ......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4
Location and description of the evaluation areas ............................................................................4
Brief archaeological and historical background..............................................................................4
Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................5
Methodology ...................................................................................................................................5
Data Presentation.............................................................................................................................5
General external description of Isca Mission Hall ..........................................................................5
External detail: ................................................................................................................................6
General internal description ............................................................................................................6
Internal detail ground floor: ............................................................................................................6
Phasing ............................................................................................................................................7
Interpretation summary ...................................................................................................................7
Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................7
References: ......................................................................................................................................8
Staff .................................................................................................................................................8
2
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
Figures
01 Site Location map
02 Existing Ground Plan.
01 2nd close up southern elevation showing both windows and porch Overview of west gable, Gable
door behind corrugated sheet
02 West gable, inaccessible for survey. Access on private property Overview of east gable
03 Overview of east gable and north elevation. Slate roof. Concrete render. Two clay vents on south
elevation. Ground along east gable raised approx 700mm.
04 Northern elevation. Single window with three centre ach. Perpendicular Gothic frame to 4 points
with central swing window.
05 Close up of porch opening. Three centred arch with key stone on thin sandstone flag imposts.
Rendered brick construction
06 Internal door from porch. Chamfered. Brick built join from porch structure to main building.
07 North east corner. East gable. Render over original red sandstone rubble construction with
limestone quoin. Brick in filled doorway
08 Detail of northern window. Rebated frame carrying, amber glass top lights. Central swing 4 light
window. Sandstone sill
09 Remains of lime mortared wall/floor from east gable, south corner to NE boundary wall
10 Remains ash mortared brick wall against NE boundary wall
11 Long view of south elevation; two windows separated by off set upper panel. Narthex with twin
doors
12 Long view north east gable. Wood tongue and grove wood panelled to 1.9m. South corner fitted
with kitchen furniture. Recess behind to blocked external doorway.
13 Western gable. Central wood panel above which is the mark of a three panelled screen. Not
possible to pick up on photograph.
14 Detail of cross beam showing moulding, south east edge
15 Close up of bell pull mechanism
16 Processed photograph to show marks left by gothic screen. (matt against gloss: vertical line of and
two, two centre arch points)
Appendices
Contact sheets
3
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
Introduction
This level II building survey has been prepared by Dr Neil Phillips, A.P.A.C. Ltd, in response to a proposed
program of works for the conversion of a former chapel into a dwelling.
The client Mr A Patel; though his agents, Liddell and Associates, submitted planning application 09/0758 and listed
building consent application 09/0759 to Newport County Council.
No works to which this consent relates shall commence until an appropriate programme of
historic building recording and analysis has been secured and implemented in accordance
with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted and approved to in writing
by the local planning authority.
No development shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title,
has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance
with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted and approved to in writing
by the local planning authority.
09/0758
After discussion with N. Maylan GGAT a Written Scheme of Investigation, WSI:CAE/13 was drawn up, submitted
and after two drafts, approved as fit for purpose, Maylan 22/03/2013.
This report details the building survey undertaken on 2nd of July 2013.
The location of the Mission Hall is on the Bulmore Rd, Caerleon, Neport, South Wales, NP18 1QQ, NGR: 334467
190058.
Access can be gained from the B4576, Caerleon to Newport Rd. Proceed through the town of Caerleon towards
Newport and after having crossed the river bridge take a left at the Ship, Public House and left again onto Lulworth
road which leads to Isca Rd, and then right onto Bulmore Rd fig 01.
The building is set back from the road in an enclosed area of lawn, somewhat overgrown. At present the building is
disused and would appear to have some water ingress.
The area of the site is lies some 400m south and east of the Roman legionary fortress: Isca.
Isca Rd, just off which the present property stands, may be a survival of route of the via praetorian, the main north
/south road through the fortress, and possibly part of the civilian settlement and it is known that settlement here
continued during the medieval period with Isca road leading to the bridge terminating over to Caerleon (GGAT
2009/031).
The area was also known to be a thriving port up to the end of the 18th century after which it went into decline.
Archaeological investigation on this side of the river has not been as intensive as that on the north/west bank but a
few small evaluations and watching briefs have revealed evidence of Roman and medieval activity.
Specifically an evaluation of the present site revealed evidence of Roman religious presence. (Clarke & Bray 2007).
In a later journal article, it was concluded that the site has a potential to have been the setting for a small shrine or
temple for animal sacrifice (Lewis, 2008).
4
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
Isca Mission Chapel was listed Grade II ‘Church of the Holy Spirit’ in 2002; 26121, (Maylan email 15th April
2013).
Built in the early 19th century as a chapel for the Tabernacle Congregationalists it fell into disrepair but was taken
over by the Anglican Church in 1898 and continued in use until 2003 (NEW0786/CG).
The aim of the level II survey was to preserve by record the structure of the building, prior to refurbishment and in
so doing’ provide a facility for understanding the building’s historic development.
The record produced can then be used to guide the determination of the planning condition as to the final design of
refurbishment.
Methodology
The building survey followed the methodology defined in 5.2, Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good
Recording Practice (English Heritage 2008). The methodology employed was also guided by the Standards and
Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures (IFA 1996,
revised ed 2001).
The photographic record of the site includes general views of the exterior, the overall appearance of principle
structure and circulation areas, external and internal detail relevant to the property’s design and development.
Existing block and floor plans were provided by the client and these were annotated with measurements made
internally with a Leica Disto, during the survey.
The adapted plan is provided with the photo cards as a photographic locator.
The photographic survey was conducted using a Sony Cybershot F828 digital camera mounted on a tripod.
Simple phasing was undertaken based on observable, constructional anomalies, Ordnance survey mapping, Old
photographs reference texts for historical building styles.
This report also comprises a written element as defined in 4.5 Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good
Recording Practice (English Heritage 2006).
Data Presentation
Data referred to within the text is included in the Figures (fig##), Plates (P##).
Appendix I presents; in spreadsheet format, details of all the photographs taken during the survey, including those
not used in the text. Photographs used in the text are listed in the right column with P and a sequential reference
number: P##.
The building is single story with a main entrance to the north east elevation, P01, through a centrally positioned
porch flanked by two simple Gothic style windows.
There are no openings visible to the south west, P02, and north east gable ends, P03. The north west elevation has a
single, centrally placed, Gothic style window, P04 and two earthen ware, moulded vents.
The roof has slate tiles and the wall red sandstone rubble wall is covered in concrete render; some of which is falling
off.
5
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
External detail:
The outer porch, P01, P05 & P06, is of brick construction to form a simple passage; open to the south east but fitted
with an inner door. Both entryways are three centred arches, with a decorative keystone. The external arch springs
from a thin sandstone impost.
Where the render has detached on the porch it is possible to see the fabric of brick and mortar. The bricks are quite
narrow at 5.5mm x 22mm.
Further detachment of the render is noticeable on the South west gable, revealing a bricked up doorway and a
sandstone quoin, P07. The bricks in this case measure 6.5mm x 22mm. It is quite possible that there is a decorative
course of sandstone at the layer of the quoin; unfortunately at present obscured by the render.
The rear window has a three centre arch recess, contemporary with the porch, P08. Clear window panes are held in a
recessed timber frame separated into 4 perpendicular lights, 5 rows high, terminating in two centre arched tops.
There is an inner four light casement window in the centre. Three amber panes complete the decoration at the top.
The windows at the front lack the central casement and are 8 rows high, P03.
Between the north west corner of the building and the boundary are the remains of a lime mortared wall base and a
brick ash mortared building base P09 & P10.
Internally the building is a single room 9.18m x 7.37m with a height of 5.22m to the fibreboard ceiling, P11-P14.
To the south east, a simple wood panelled Narthrex with two doors, P11.
To the south west a small kitchen unit, P12
At a height of 2.644m from the floor, a partition panel from the north west corner of the narthrex to the
north west elevation, P11, P13 & P14.
Electric light is supplied by suspended globes on modern wire and heating by partition mounted fan heaters, P12 &
P14.
The internal detail of the building is quite sparse. Structurally the only things of note are the window recess with
their sloped sills, P11.
In the south corner, behind the kitchen units there is a recessed rectangle which is the blocked doorway identified in
P12. The rest of the south west wall has wooden tongue and groove wall cladding.
High up in the northern corner is an iron bracket and bell pull for the church bell, now missing P15.
On the north west gable wall there is a narrow section of cladding above which is the outline of three arched shapes,
possibly a religious screen behind an altar or pulpit. Unfortunately, the outline was difficult to capture on film but it
is just discernable in P16.
The partition, P14 is constructed of wide tongue and grooved panels supported on a moulded beam with a deep
recessed grove on the under side, P13, which would have housed a floor level, movable partition.
6
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
Phasing
There isn’t really much scope for structural change at the building as it is a very simple structure. As the building
would appear to be rubble stone it is reasonable to assume that the brick structures of blocked doorway and porch
are later alterations.
The different size of bricks used would also tend to imply that the doorway blocking and porch construction were
not contemporary developments.
The similarity of the three centred arch of the doorway and the windows would derive from a desire to match the
features. As to whether the porch copied the windows or the windows were replaced at the time of the construction
of the porch is not known.
Interpretation summary
Not a great deal of interpretation is possible for this building as there is little to go on. It is quite possible however,
that more could be gleaned once the render is removed.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank Mr Patel for access to the property, Liddell & Associates for the comprehensive
documentation, GGAT for their guidance and thanks to the staff at the Gwent Record Office for their assistance
with the research.
7
A.P.A.C. Ltd Isca Mission Chapel. Caerleon BS/PFL/13
References:
Code of Conduct and the Code of Approved Practice for the regulation of
Contractual Arrangements in Field Archaeology. 2008.
GGAT Isca Rd, Caerleon, Newport. Archaeological Watching Brief May 2009. Project
P1342
Lewis, M., 2008 Roman Clay Altars From Caerleon, Monmouthshire Antiquary 2008, XXIV.
Newport County
Council; Notice of Decision 09/0758 & 09/0759
Staff
Dr. Neil Phillips, AIFA.
The copyright for this report shall remain with the A.P.A.C. Ltd.
8
Isca Rd, Mission Chapel,Caerleon
N
0 1 2 3 4 5
Adapted from Liddell + Associates
DWG 1698/4a by CM
Reason for image 2nd close up southern elevation showing both windows and porch
Object
Material
Reason for image West gable, inaccessible for survey. Access on private property
Object
Material
Reason for image Overview of east gable and north elevation. Slate roof. Concrete render. Two clay vents on south
elevation. Ground along east gable raised approx 700mm.
Object
Material
Reason for image Northern elevation. Single window with three centre ach. Perpendicular Gothic frame to 4 points
with central swing window
Object
Material
Reason for image Internal door from porch. Chamfered. Brick built join from porch structure to main building.
Object
Material
Reason for image Internal door from porch. Chamfered. Brick built join from porch structure to main building.
Object
Material
Reason for image Northern elevation. Single window with three centre ach. Perpendicular Gothic frame to 4 points
with central swing window
Object
Material
Reason for image Detail of northern window. Rebated frame carrying, amber glass top lights. Central swing 4 light
window. Sandstone sill
Object
Material
Reason for image Remains of lime mortared wall/floor from east gable, south corner to NE boundary wall
Object
Material
Reason for image Remains ash mortared brick wall against NE boundary wall
Object
Material
Reason for image Long view of south elevation; two windows separated by off set upper panel. Narthex with twin
doors
Object
Material
Reason for image Long view north east gable. Wood tongue and grove wood panelled to 1.9m. South corner fitted
with kitchen furniture. Recess behind to blocked external doorway.
Object
Material
Reason for image Western gable. Central wood panel above which is the mark of a three panelled screen. Not
possible to pick up on photograph.
Object
Material
Reason for image Detail of cross beam showing moulding, south east edge
Object
Material
Object
Material
Reason for image Processed photograph to show marks left by gothic screen.
(matt against gloss: vertical line of and two, two centre arch points)
Object
Material
DSC04730 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Internal S Long view of SW gable showing hanging glass lights on modern flex, panel ceiling
DSC04731 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 2448x3264 Internal S View of entrance arch to porch
DSC04732 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 2448x3264 External SE Entrance path from road. Concrete
DSC04733 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 3264x2448 External SW North east corner. Detail of in filled brick doorway with sandstone step below.
DSC04734 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 3264x2448 External NE Remains of lime mortared wall/floor from east gable, south corner to NE boundary wall P09
DSC04735 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 3264x2448 External V Remains ash mortared brick wall against NE boundary wall P10
DSC03836 03/04/2013 DSC-F828 3264x2448 External NW View of building from the road