THOMAS, IDRIS (1889 - 1962), minister (B)

Born 1889, the eldest of the seven children of Jenkin and Ann Thomas, Cilfynydd, Glamorganshire. When he was six years old the family moved to Moriah, near Aberystwyth, where his grandfather, Jenkin Thomas (c. 1824 - 1865), had been a minister (B). He went to work in a shop in Aberystwyth when he was 13 years old but 3 years later he returned to the south, to Abercynon, where he was encouraged to begin preaching. He went to the Old College School, Carmarthen for 18 months, and to Bangor College (1911-14). In 1914 he was ordained minister of Seion, Nefyn and Caersalem, Morfa Nefyn, and soon became one of the most prominent preachers of his denomination. He moved to Dinas Noddfa, Landore, Swansea (1919-23); Rehoboth and Clawdd-coch, Cilrhedyn, Carmarthenshire (1923-37), and Tabernacl, Cefn-mawr, near Wrexham (1937-62). His sermons were well structured and had the power of conviction. He had a deep, pleasant voice and delivered his sermons in fluent, refined Welsh.

He married in 1923 Nan Evans, Glanyrafon, Cenarth (who died in a road accident, 28 February 1936). His sister, Rachel Ann Thomas, who looked after him afterwards in Bro'r Awelon, Acrefair, was president of the Zenana in Wales. He died 14 June 1962, soon after being elevated president of the Baptist assembly.

Author

• Dr Mary Auronwy James

Sources

• The Baptist Union of Wales Handbook and Diary, 1963

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733253

Published date: 2001

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