THOMAS, LEWIS JOHN (1883 - 1970), missionary in India with the London Missionary Society

Born 2 February 1883 at Llangefni, Anglesey, son of Cefni and Mary (née Williams) Thomas. The family moved to Rhiwbryfdir, Blaenau Ffestiniog, when he was five. After a period as a pupil-teacher and working on the railway, he moved to Corwen and then Birkenhead. There he came under the influence of the 1904-05 religious revival and began preaching; he had wished to become a missionary since he was a young man.

After attending Paton College, Nottingham, he was ordained at Jerusalem, Blaenau Ffestiniog, 12 October 1911. He sailed for India 4 November 1911 and worked hard as a superintendent of a large number of churches in the provinces where Telugu was spoken. He married Hannah E. Mathews in Madras; they lived at Cuddapah, Kamalapuram, Goety and Jammalamadugu, and had a son and daughter. From 1927 to 1938 he was responsible for a seminary to instruct native evangelists, and from 1939 to 1949 he was secretary/treasurer of the Missionary Society. As an uncompromising Independent, he opposed the United Church, although he gave of his best in all co-operative activities.

He retired from missionary work in 1949, but accepted the care of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Bangalore, where their son Iorwerth was a missionary and head of a boys' grammar school. He lost his sight in 1954. His wife died 13 May 1964 and he died 17 April 1970 in Bangalore where they both were buried.

Author

• Reverend Huw Ethall

Sources

• Personal research

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20821189

Published date: 2001

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