Richard Owen (minister)
Encyclopedia
Richard Owen was a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist minister and preacher.
, Anglesey
, in north Wales. His education was disrupted by the deaths of his father (when Richard was 11) and, in the following year, of his brother. He began his work at a chapel called Cana in the area, later putting himself forward for an official position in the ministry of the Calvinistic Methodist church. He was permitted to preach in seven churches, and given financial support to attend the school in Llangefni
, Anglesey. He started studying at the Calvinistic Methodists' college in Bala, Gwynedd
but found it hard to benefit from studying there because of his preaching commitments. He impressed the college's principal, Lewis Edwards
, when both preached at a service in Blaenau Ffestiniog
. After marrying in 1867 and a period in London, he was ordained in 1873. Based at Penmaenmawr
on the north Wales coast, he was regarded as an inspiring preacher and "his influence spread throughout Wales." After living in Denbigh
and Aberystwyth
, he died in Pentraeth
, Anglesey, on 16 February 1887; he is buried at St Cristiolus's Church, Llangristiolus
.
Life and career
Richard Owen was born in 1839 in LlangristiolusLlangristiolus
Llangristiolus is a village in the middle of Anglesey, Wales, southwest of Llangefni, and is named after Saint Cristiolus. The River Cefni flows through the village...
, Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, in north Wales. His education was disrupted by the deaths of his father (when Richard was 11) and, in the following year, of his brother. He began his work at a chapel called Cana in the area, later putting himself forward for an official position in the ministry of the Calvinistic Methodist church. He was permitted to preach in seven churches, and given financial support to attend the school in Llangefni
Llangefni
Llangefni is the county town of Anglesey in Wales and contains the principal offices of the Isle of Anglesey County Council. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the population of Llangefni was 4,662 people and it is the second largest settlement on the island...
, Anglesey. He started studying at the Calvinistic Methodists' college in Bala, Gwynedd
Bala, Gwynedd
Bala is a market town and community in Gwynedd, Wales, and formerly an urban district of the historic county of Merionethshire. It lies at the north end of Bala Lake , 17 miles north-east of Dolgellau, with a population of 1,980...
but found it hard to benefit from studying there because of his preaching commitments. He impressed the college's principal, Lewis Edwards
Lewis Edwards
Lewis Edwards was a Welsh educator and Nonconformist minister.He was born in the parish of Llanbadarn Fawr in Ceredigion, Wales, and educated at Aberystwyth and at Llangeitho. He then ran schools in both these places...
, when both preached at a service in Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog is a town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It has a population of 5,000, including Llan Ffestiniog, which makes it the third largest town in Gwynedd, behind Caernarfon & Porthmadog. Although the population reached 12,000 at the peak of the slate industry, the population fell due to...
. After marrying in 1867 and a period in London, he was ordained in 1873. Based at Penmaenmawr
Penmaenmawr
PenmaenmawrConwyPenmaenmawr is a town in the parish of Dwygyfylchi, in Conwy County Borough, Wales. The population was 3857 in 2001. It is a quarrying town, though the latter is no longer a major employer, on the North Wales coast between Conwy and Llanfairfechan.The town was bypassed by the A55...
on the north Wales coast, he was regarded as an inspiring preacher and "his influence spread throughout Wales." After living in Denbigh
Denbigh
Denbigh is a market town and community in Denbighshire, Wales. Before 1888, it was the county town of Denbighshire. Denbigh lies 8 miles to the north west of Ruthin and to the south of St Asaph. It is about 13 miles from the seaside resort of Rhyl. The town grew around the glove-making industry...
and Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
, he died in Pentraeth
Pentraeth
Pentraeth is a village on the island of Anglesey , north Wales, at . The Royal Mail postcode begins LL75.Its Welsh name means at the end of a beach, and it is located near Traeth Coch . There is a small river, Afon Nodwydd which runs through it. The village's ancient name was Llanfair Betws Geraint...
, Anglesey, on 16 February 1887; he is buried at St Cristiolus's Church, Llangristiolus
St Cristiolus's Church, Llangristiolus
St Cristiolus's Church, Llangristiolus is a medieval church near the village of Llangristiolus, in Anglesey, north Wales. The village, about from the building, takes its name from the church. Reputedly founded by St Cristiolus in 610, the present building dates from the 12th and 13th centuries...
.