Photography by John Ball - 14 November 1998 (with Agfa ePhoto307 digital camera)

High on the uplands of Cefn Gwrhyd stands the lonely and isolated Gwrhyd Welsh Independent Chapel. It was built in 1856 at a cost of £350. This exposed site was chosen because in the 1850s, it was central for rural chapel-goers who came from the surrounding farms on horseback or on foot. In November 1998, I visited the chapel graveyard almost daily to complete a survey of monumental inscriptions for the Glamorgan Family History Society.

Image 1:

The chapel reflected in the late afternoon sunshine.

Image 2:

Alongside the chapel is what was once the schoolhouse.

Image 3:

The chapel is surrounded by a small graveyard containing about 150 graves.

Image 4:

The bleak upland landscape of Cefn Gwrhyd on which the chapel is situated.

Image 5, 6:

The graveyard.

Image 7:

The graveyard is bordered by a dry-stone wall and some stunted and windblown trees and bushes.

Image 8:

The lonely approach road to the chapel disappears south-westwards towards the setting sun.

Image 9:

"At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them....."