The Rev. Rhys Bevan Jones, pastor of the Tabernacle English Baptist Church, Porth, and founder and hon. principal of the South Wales Bible Training Institute, died on Thursday evening at the age of 63.
A native of Dowlais, the Rev. R.B. Jones received his early education at the local elementary school and afterwards proceeded to Pontypool Baptist College. He was ordained 40 years ago and accepted a call to the pastorate of Berthlwyd Church, Treharris, in 1893. He subsequently held the pastorates of Caersalem, Llanelly, from 1895 to 1899, when he went to the Rhondda as pastor of Salem Welsh Baptist Church, Porth.
There he remained until 1904, when he accepted a call to Ainon Chapel, Ynyshir. In 1919 he became pastor of Tabernacle English Baptist Church Porth.
In September of the same year the South Wales Bible Training Institute was opened and students of the institute are at present engaged in mission work in India, Africa, Japan, China, South America, Poland, and other parts of the world.
Powerful Preacher
Mr. Jones was a brilliant organiser, and the success of the institute was largely due to his skilful guidance. A powerful preacher, he had occupied the pulpits of several of the most important churches in England and Wales.
During the religious revival in the early part of the century he was to the fore as a revivalist, and swept North Wales with his preaching. He had also visited America a number of times on mission tours.
He was for many years editor of “The Efengylaidd,” and was the author of a number of religious works, including “Rent Heavens” a story of the revival, and “Spiritism in Bible Light.” He was also the founder of the Faith Mission in Wales, a group of evangelists.
This year he was to have delivered the Bible reading at the famous Keswick convention.
He leaves a widow, three sons, and three daughters. Two of his children are engaged in religious work. A daughter, Mrs. Tudor Jones, is a missionary in Japan, and a son, the Rev. Geraint Jones, M.A., is co-pastor of Tabernacle Church.