A new mural at Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom is helping to tell the story of one of Trevor’s most historic buildings. The tearoom sits close to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, known around the world as the “Stream in the Sky”.
However, the chapel building has its own rich past. Now, thanks to a new artwork by local artist Carol Davies, its entrance porch has become a colourful tribute to local heritage.
A New Mural With a Local Story
Sally Roberts has run Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom for eight years. Recently, she decided the entrance porch needed to reflect the character of the building and the community around it.
Therefore, she asked her friend Carol Davies to transform the space. Carol is well known locally as the artist behind the Neco Williams mural in Cefn Mawr. This time, however, her work focuses on chapel history, local people and the River Dee.
The mural celebrates the Methodist revival of the 18th and 19th centuries. During that period, the “Sacred Dee” played an important role in open-air baptisms. A 1906 newspaper cutting kept at the tearoom, titled “Chilly Baptism,” describes thousands of people gathering to watch converts being immersed in the icy “38-degree” [Fahrenheit] water.
Chilly Baptism
In addition, the colours in the mural reflect the original wall tiles underneath, helping the new artwork sit naturally within the old chapel porch.
Familiar Faces in the Artwork
Although the mural looks back to an earlier period, many of the faces belong firmly to the present day. In a warm local twist, Sally herself appears as the woman being led into the river for baptism. Meanwhile, several familiar tearoom faces look down from the stone arches of the Bont.
The Bont, Trevor
Among the onlookers are dedicated staff, regular customers and Jane and Alan, who have a special connection with the chapel. Jane was baptised there and was also the last person to be married in the building, on 8 August 1988.
Later, the couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary by staying in one of the chapel’s rooms. As a result, the mural feels less like a museum piece and more like a living community portrait.
A Tearoom With a Heart for Charity
Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom is also known for its charity work.
Sally and her team have used the space to raise money through regular quizzes and raffles. Over time, those efforts have supported several good causes, including £11,000 for Hope House.
The fundraising began in memory of local girl Aria, who died from DIPG in 2022. Since then, the tearoom has become a place where people gather not only for homemade cakes and a cuppa, but also to support families and charities close to the community’s heart. Therefore, the mural reflects more than history. It also captures the kindness and generosity that continue to shape the building today.
Visit Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom
Visitors can call in to admire Carol Davies’ detailed artwork, speak to the team or enjoy refreshments after a walk across the aqueduct. The mural includes the words: “Those who had come for food for the newspapers would get FOOD for the SOUL.”
That message sums up the tearoom well. Thanks to Sally, Carol, Eliza, Lynne and the wider team, the former chapel remains a place to gather, reflect and support one another – one cuppa at a time.
Feature image: Sally, Carol, Lynn and Eliza (l-r)
We hope you enjoyed reading “Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom Mural Celebrates Trevor’s History”. Click here for more articles about your home and garden.
