THOMAS, JOHN LUTHER (1881 - 1970), minister (Congl.)

Born 23 April 1881 in Bigyn Road, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, son of Thomas and Ann Thomas. The family moved to Pontarddulais where he attended the local school before beginning to work in the tin industry. In 1894 he was received as a member of Hope church, where he was encouraged to enter the ministry. He attended the school of Watcyn Wyn (Williams, Watkin Hezekiah) at Ammanford and Bala-Bangor College (1900-1903) before becoming minister of Seion, Conwy and Llandudno Junction (1903-21); Carmel, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog (1921-30); Seion, Cwmafan (1930-45). He resigned because of his wife's illness and returned to Pontarddulais to his sisters at Gwynllys, Clayton Road, but he resumed his ministry, taking charge of the churches of Libanus, Cwmgwili and Llwyn-teg, Llan-non (1945-50) and Hendy, Capel Newydd, Pontarddulais (1950-58). Besides being noted for his clear preaching and his great pastoral labours, he worked diligently for the missionary society and edited the Welsh section of The London Missionary Society Chronicle (1927-40), and was author of the pamphlet Y bwlch lle bu'r Sul (1942) for the Council of the Lord's Day Observance Society. He was also the author of a number of books, including: Y byd a ddaw (1918 and 1920); Yr ynys aur; Hanes Iesu Grist (1930); Dyn rhyfedd y groes (1947); and Iesu penwyn (1962). He wrote articles for Y Geiriadur Beiblaidd, Y Dysgedydd, Y Tyst, and other denominational periodicals. In 1921 he married Anne Grace Williams, Conwy. Although his health was never robust, he had a long life. He died 4 February 1970 at his home, Lansdowne, Groves Avenue, Langland, Swansea and his body was cremated at Morriston.

Author

• Dr Mary Auronwy James

Sources

• E. Lewis Evans, Eglwys Hope, Pontarddulais (Swansea 1969)(1969), 69-70
• The Biographical Index of W. W. Price, Aberdâr

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733555

Published date: 2001

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