John Evans (cleric)
Encyclopedia
John Evans was a Welsh Anglican
cleric, known for his attacks upon Methodism
.
, south Wales on 2 September 1702. He studied at the grammar school in Carmarthen
and at the University of Oxford
, matriculating
from Jesus College
in 1722. He was ordained and appointed to the parish of Eglwys Cymyn, Carmarthenshire although he only visited the parish for a few weeks each year in the summer, and employed curate
s to minister in the parish whilst he lived in London. He was appointed Reading Chaplain of the Chapel Royal, Whitehall
in 1742 and preached the St David's Day sermon to the Society of Ancient Britons in 1750; the sermon was later published. He was a founder member and council member of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
when it was established in 1751. He was buried at Eglwys Cymyn on 14 March 1782.
Evans was inspired by Bishop Edmund Gibson
to attack Methodism
, publishing a hostile pamphlet against Griffith Jones
in 1749 and a further attack in Some Account of the Welch Charity Schools (etc) in 1752. The attacks did little to harm the position of Griffith Jones and more to hurt the reputation of Evans himself.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
cleric, known for his attacks upon Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
.
Life
Evans was born in Meidrym, CarmarthenshireCarmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
, south Wales on 2 September 1702. He studied at the grammar school in Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
and at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, matriculating
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
from Jesus College
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
in 1722. He was ordained and appointed to the parish of Eglwys Cymyn, Carmarthenshire although he only visited the parish for a few weeks each year in the summer, and employed curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
s to minister in the parish whilst he lived in London. He was appointed Reading Chaplain of the Chapel Royal, Whitehall
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
in 1742 and preached the St David's Day sermon to the Society of Ancient Britons in 1750; the sermon was later published. He was a founder member and council member of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion was founded in 1751 as a literary society devoted to the preservation of the Welsh language. It was founded by two brothers, Lewis Morris and Richard Morris, natives of Anglesey...
when it was established in 1751. He was buried at Eglwys Cymyn on 14 March 1782.
Evans was inspired by Bishop Edmund Gibson
Edmund Gibson
Edmund Gibson was a British divine and jurist.-Early life and career:He was born in Bampton, Westmorland. In 1686 he was entered a scholar at Queen's College, Oxford...
to attack Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, publishing a hostile pamphlet against Griffith Jones
Griffith Jones (Llanddowror)
Griffith Jones was a minister of the Church of England famous for his work in organising circulating schools in Wales. His name is usually associated with that of Llanddowror, Carmarthenshire....
in 1749 and a further attack in Some Account of the Welch Charity Schools (etc) in 1752. The attacks did little to harm the position of Griffith Jones and more to hurt the reputation of Evans himself.