William Marion EVANS

EVANS, WILLIAM MARION (b. Isallt Frawr North Wales, 12 Aug 1826, d. Ballarat, NSW, 4 Aug 1883). Welsh Calvinistic Methodist (Presbyterian) preacher.

Evans arrived in SA in May 1849 and while working at the Burra copper mine commenced the first services in Welsh known to have been held in Australia. For a period in 1852 he worked with success on the Bendigo gold field. Returning to Wales in March 1853, he settled his parents and brothers on a farm in Illinois USA, and was ordained by the Calvinistic Methodist Church at Colombus, Wisconsin, 12 June, 1861.

Evans returned to Victoria in March 1863 and had the care of the churches at Ballarat and Sebastopol. From 1871 to 1881 he ministered at the Latrobe Street Church in Melbourne. He consolidated this work but progress being less than desired he also conducted a bookshop for a period. He edited YrAustralydd 1867-71 and YrYmwelydd 1874-76.

ROWLAND S WARD