“It pleased the Lord to choose this dark corner of the land to place his name here and to honour us, undeserving creatures, with the happiness of being the first in all these parts among whom was practised the glorious ordinance of baptism, and to gather here the first church of baptized believers [in Wales].”
So wrote John Myles about Ilston in Gower, where the first Baptist church in Wales was planted in 1649 as part of a wider Baptist church planting movement.
The Baptist Union of Wales has long held an annual commemorative service either at the site or in recent years online. This year’s service will be on the theme of ‘Tarian Ffydd / The Shield of Faith’, with contributions from local churches and ministers, and under the care of Rev Rob Nicholls.
The order of service is available here:
The service is held at the site of the ruins of Ilston Church, Parkmill, Gower. If the weather is unfavourable, at the Scouts Hall (the old school) nearby at 2pm on Saturday 19th July.
All are welcome!
