EVANS, WILLIAM (1716 - 1770), Independent minister

Born at Ystradgynlais in 1716. When he was eighteen he became a member at Cwm-llynfell. He was twice married; as a result of his second marriage he became a well-to-do farmer in Llangiwc parish. At the request of the Cwm-llynfell congregation he was licensed to preach, 5 April 1751. He was minister of Cwm Mawr and Rhyd-y-maerdy, in the parish of Llan-rhidian, Gower, 1754-70 [according to the Cilgwyn church records, he was ordained in 1758 ]. Under his ministry Rhyd-y-maerdy became an important centre of the Independent church. Ministers from North and South Wales met there as occasion demanded and these meetings laid the foundations for the quarterly meetings of the Welsh Independents. John Thomas (1730 - 1804?) was admitted from the Methodist connexion to the Independent communion at the meeting held on 10 and 11 June at Rhyd-y-maerdy 'where the godly William Evans is the minister.' William Evans was one of the eighteen prominent ministers who signed A Vindication of the Conduct of the Associated Ministers in Wales, published in 1771 - the profession of the ministers who were moderate Calvinists. He was minister of his mother-church at Cwmllynfell, 1767-70, coming there after the great struggle between Arminianism and Calvinism, and the split between Cwmllynfell and Gellionnen. During those three years more than 150 members joined the church at Cwmllynfell. His theology was that of a moderate Calvinist, his preaching that of an evangelical. He died 24 April 1770 and was buried in Llangiwc churchyard where his tomb may be seen to this day.

Author

• Reverend John Dyfnallt Owen, (1873 - 1956)

Sources

• Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru, ii, 27-9, 144
• Hanes Eglwys Cwmllynfell (1935), 17-21
• Rhad Ras (1810, 1949), 95
• Y Cofiadur [ 1923, 16, 30]

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734607

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/