JOHN, WALTER PHILLIPS (1910 - 1967), minister (B)
Date of birth: 1910
Date of death: 1967
Spouse: Nansi John (née Jones)
Parent: Susannah Mary John (née Rees)
Parent: Daniel Robert John
Gender: Male
Occupation: minister (B)
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Morgan John Williams
Born 31 January 1910 at Gilfach, Bargoed, Glamorganshire, the second of five children of the Rev. Daniel Robert John (d. 1948) and his wife, Susannah Mary (née Rees), both from Penygroes near Ammanford. The father was minister at Bargoed, Porth (Rhondda), Abercynon and the historic church at Rhydwilym. Walter P. John was educated at Mountain Ash Grammar School and the Baptist College and University College, Cardiff (1928-34), graduating in Arts and Divinity. Whilst in the grammar school he and R.E. Griffith established the first branch of Urdd Gobaith Cymru in south Wales at Abercynon.
He began his ministry at Tabernacl, Pontarddulais in September 1934 and in October 1938 he moved to London to take charge of the Welsh church at Castle Street, where he remained until his death on 15 March 1967. In 1940 he married married Nansi, only child of Morgan A. Jones, minister (B) at Whitland, Carmarthenshire, and grand-daughter of Daniel Jones, his predecessor. Walter P. John achieved prominence early in his career as a cultured preacher, whose services were in great demand in his own and other denominations in England and Wales. He also mastered the art of broadcasting, and was the first presenter of Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol. Liberal in standpoint, he was zealous for mutual understanding and cooperation among the Christian bodies of Wales. A volume of his sermons Rhwydwaith Duw (1969) appeared posthumously and he was joint author with Gwilym T. Hughes of a history of Welsh Baptists in London, Hanes Castle Street a'r Bedyddwyr Cymraeg yn Llundain (1959).
Authors
- Morgan John Williams, (1910 - 1995)
- Revised by the editorial team, 2024
- The Baptist Union of Wales Handbook and Diary, 1968
- a tribute by Sir Ben Bowen Thomas in Rhwydwaith Duw casgliad o homilïau a phregethau (1969)
- and personal knowledge
Sources
- Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru: John – Walter Phillips (1910 – 1967)
Further Reading
- Wikidata: Q20734561
Additional Links
Published date: 2001
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.
Find out more on our sponsorship page.