MORGAN, MORGAN PARRY (1876 - 1964), minister of religion (CM) and powerful preacher

Name: Morgan Parry Morgan
Date of birth: 1876
Date of death: 1964
Spouse: Elizabeth Frances Morgan (née Jones)
Parent: Catherine Morgan (née Parry)
Parent: David Morgan
Gender: Male
Occupation: minister of religion (CM) and powerful preacher
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Evan David Jones

Born 8 July 1876, in Llanafan, Cardiganshire, the only son of David Morgan, Brynseir, Lledrod, Cardiganshire, and Catherine (née Parry) his wife, daughter of Morgan Parry, surveyor of the Trawscoed estate. When he was six years old the family moved to Pontycymer, Glamorganshire, where they became members at Bethel church (CM). He was educated at Pontycymer board school, but laid great stress on the influence of the Sunday school on his life. He attended Port Talbot academy around 1889-92, but like his father he had to return to the colliery. In 1894 he began preaching and went to the Rev. Dunmore Edwards ' academy in Pontypridd. In 1896 he was accepted into Trefeca College. In 1900 he accepted a call to Blaenannerch, Cardiganshire. He was ordained in the Association held at Heol Dŵr church, Carmarthen, in August 1901. The revival of 1904-05 had left a deep impression on Blaenannerch, the church and its young minister, and he in turn was a strong leader of his flock guiding them from the dangers of oversentimentality. He instructed them firmly in the scriptures by avoiding literal acceptance of the word and teaching them instead to become intelligent listeners. Though he spent the remainder of his life at Blaenannerch, he soon rose to become one of the foremost preachers of his day. He was in great demand at preaching festivals throughout Wales and ' M.P. Morgan, Blaenannerch ', became a household name within the denomination. There were fiery elements in his sermons, but he took care to interpret his texts in detail and taught his flock in Biblical classes and in Cultural Society alike. Preaching, however, was his great passion in life. He delivered the Dr. John Williams Memorial Lecture in 1947; the subject of that lecture was ' Preaching '. He was moderator of the General Assembly in 1949.

He died 27 December 1964 and was buried in front of the chapel in Blaenannerch. He married, 17 December 1901, Elizabeth Frances Jones, daughter of Samuel and Judith (née Hughes) Jones; they had one daughter.

Author

Published date: 2001

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