Baptist Union of Wales
| Baptist Union of Wales Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru | |
|---|---|
 Logo of the Baptist Union of Wales (Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru). | |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Baptist |
| Polity | Congregationalist |
| Distinct fellowships | Baptist Union of Great Britain |
| Associations |
Baptist World Alliance, European Baptist Federation, Free Church Federation, Cytûn |
| Region | Wales |
| Congregations | 544 |
| Members | 25,384 |
| Official website | http://www.buw.org.uk/ |
| Part of a series on |
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The Baptist Union of Wales (Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru) is a fellowship of Baptist churches in Wales.
History
The General Baptist minister Hugh Evans was one of the first Baptists to preach in Wales around 1646, in the parishes of Llan-hir, Cefnllys, Nantmel and Llanddewi Ystradenny, as well as in districts across the upper Wye Valley in Brecknock.[1] In 1649 John Myles (1621–1683) and Thomas Proud led in the formation of a congregation at Ilston, before Myles emigrated to Swansea, Massachusetts in 1663.[2] Myles and Proud were connected to the Particular Baptists in London. In 1650 three Baptist congregations held the first general meeting of Baptists in Wales. The national union was organized in 1866. One of the most notable Welsh Baptist ministers was Christmas Evans (1766–1838).
Membership
The Baptist Union of Wales is a member of the Free Church Council, Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales), the European Baptist Federation, and the Baptist World Alliance. Baptist Union headquarters is located at Y Llwyfan at Trinity University College in Carmarthen. In 1995 the Union had 544 congregations with 25,384 members. 146 of these churches (with 9552 members) held dual membership in the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Though English is spoken by most citizens of Wales, many churches hold their services in their native Welsh language.
The Baptist Union of Wales is housed at Y Llwyfan, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, College Road, Carmarthen, SA31 3EQ.
See also
References
- ↑ "The National Library of Wales Dictionary of Welsh Biography". Retrieved 2009-05-15.
- ↑ "First Baptist church in Swansea". Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
Sources
- Albert W. Wardin, Jr., ed. Baptists Around the World. Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman & Holman, 1995
- T. M. Bassett The Welsh Baptists. Swansea: Ilston House, 1977
External links
- Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru/Baptist Union of Wales - official Web Site
- Shropshire Baptist History Introduction