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James Griffiths (minister)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Griffiths (1856 – 12 April 1933) who served as minister of the Baptist churches at Calfaria, Llanelli and Calfaria, Aberdare.

Early life

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Griffiths was born in Pencoed in 1856, the third of thirteen children. At the age of twelve he was baptized and became a member of the congregation at the Baptist church at Blackmill.[1] In early life, he worked as a weaver before enrolling as a student at Pontypool Baptist College in 1879[citation needed].

Ministry at Llanelli

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In 1883, Griffiths was ordained as minister at Calfaria, Llanelli, where he remained for seven years.[2] During his time at Llanelli, he built a reputation as a minister.

Ministry at Aberdare

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In February 1889, Griffiths preached at Calfaria, Aberdare, where there was a vacancy following the death of its long-serving minister, Thomas Price the previous year.[2] Later that year he received a unanimous call to become his successor at Calfaria.[3] He was inducted as minister at special services held on Christmas Day 1889.[4]

In 1898 the Welsh Baptist Union held its annual assembly at Calfaria, and in 1903 a new organ was purchased at a cost of £850.[2]

Griffiths later wrote the church's centenary history in 1912. Membership stood at 537 in 1899 with a slight decline to 420 by 1916 and 396 in 1925.[5]

Later years

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In 1923, Griffiths was elected president of the Baptist Union of Wales.[2] He retired from his pastorate in 1930 at the age of 74.[2]

Griffiths died on 12 April 1933 and was buried at Blackmill.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Davies 1968, pp. 364–5.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Davies 1968, p. 365.
  3. ^ "Aberdare". South Wales Daily News. 5 October 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Sefydlu Gweinidog Newydd yng Nghalfaria. Aberdar". Seren Cymru. 10 January 1890. p. 1. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  5. ^ Jones 2004, pp. 95–6.

Sources

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Books and Journals

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