MORGAN
,
MORGAN PARRY
(
1876
-
1964
),
minister of religion (CM) and powerful preacher
;
b.
8 July 1876
, in
Llanafan, Cards.
, the only son of
David
Morgan
,
Brynseir
,
Lledrod, Cards.
, 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
, Glam.
, 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, Cards.
He was ordained in the
Association
held at
Heol Dŵr church
,
Carmarthen
, in
Aug. 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 d.
27 Dec. 1964
and was buried in front of the chapel in
Blaenannerch
. He m.,
17 Dec. 1901
,
Elizabeth Frances
Jones
, daughter of
Samuel
and
Judith
(née
Hughes
)
Jones
; they had one daughter.
Bibliography:
-
D. J. Evans
,
M. P. Morgan, Blaenannerch, 1876-1964
,
Caernarfon, 1976
(1976)
.
Author:
Evan David Jones, F.S.A., (1903-87), Aberystwyth
