JONES, BENJAMIN (1865 - 1953), Chancellor of Bangor Cathedral

Born in Minffordd, Llangeinwen, Anglesey, May 17, 1865, son of Thomas Jones, a farm labourer and his wife Ann (née Williams). After a period of student-teaching in St. Paul's School Bangor he decided to enter the Church. He was educated 1889-90 in Bangor school of theology where reading, preaching and ministering (under the wing of the church hostel) were taught, and in 1890 became a member of Marcon's Hall, Oxford. He was ordained in Liverpool in 1894 by the Bishop of Sodor and Man and for two years was curate at Rushen, I. of M. In 1896 he returned to the see of Bangor as a curate in St. Ann's, Llandygái. In 1905 he was given the living of Penmachno by Lord Penrhyn and remained there until 1923 and his appointment as vicar of Llanfair-is-gaer (Port Dinorwic). He was promoted canon in 1930 and Chancellor of the Cathedral from 1937 from which he retired in 1940 having completed the period of appointment. He was Rural Dean of Arllechwedd, 1935-48. He restored the old and new church at Llanfair-is-gaer and built a new church hall in Port Dinorwic. He died 16 December 1953, and was buried in Llanfair-is-gaer. He left a widow; they had no children.

Throughout his career he was active with the Church's publications. He edited Yr Haul, 1913-20, and Y Llan, 1919-38, and was concerned with a project for a bilingual paper for the Church in Wales, Y Llan and Church News and the Church Family Newspaper. His service to the religious press during World War I and in the difficult times immediately after disestablishment was firm and wise. He was a member of the governing body of the Church in Wales from the beginning until 1951.

He was a talented musician and for many years was chairman of the music committee of the see. He established children and adult choirs and won many prizes. He was admitted to the Gorsedd of Bards under the name Heulog.

He was a tall, dignified figure, whose amiable personality demanded a hearing, and a born leader and counsellor. He was a natural debater, always ready to defend the right and not afraid of confrontation-even with archbishops. He assumed that the entire parish was in his care, was welcomed by all denominations and at home in every company. He was one of the founders of Clwb y Felin. ' Chancellor Ben ' was a man of great stature in all ways.

Author

• Dr Enid Pierce Roberts

Sources

• Crockford's Clerical Directory
• Y Llan, 25 December 1953,
• Yr Haul a'r Gangell (Gaeaf 1954)
• North Wales Chronicle, 18 and 24 December 1953
• testimony of parishioners and personal knowledge

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20804661

Published date: 2001

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/