Baptist Union of Wales

{{Short description|Christian denomination}} {{Infobox Christian denomination |name = Baptist Union of Wales |native_name = Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru |image = Baptist Union of Wales Logo.jpg |imagewidth = |alt = Logo of the Baptist Union of Wales. |caption = Logo of the Baptist Union of Wales <br>(Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru). |main_classification = Nonconformist Protestantism |orientation = Evangelical |theology = Baptist |polity = Congregational |leader/moderator = |leader = |founded_date = 1866 |founded_place = |headquarters = Carmarthen |fellowships = Baptist Union of Great Britain |associations = Baptist World Alliance,<br>European Baptist Federation,<br>Free Church Federation,<br>Cytûn |area = Wales |website = [http://www.buw.org.uk/ http://www.buw.org.uk/] |congregations = 315 |members = 8,105 }} The '''Baptist Union of Wales''', abbreviated '''BUW''' (Welsh: '''Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru'''; '''UBC'''), is a Baptist denomination in Wales, United Kingdom. The Union is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance, the European Baptist Federation, the Free Church Federation, the Churches Together in Wales. The Baptist Union of Wales' headquarters is located in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire.

==History== ===Early Welsh Baptist ministers=== [[File: Bethel Baptist Centre, Pontyclun - geograph.org.uk - 4017284.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Bethel Baptist Church in Pontyclun.]] The Puritan minister Hugh Evans was the first minister to preach Baptist doctrines in Wales, around 1646, in the parishes of Llan-hir, Cefnllys, Nantmel, and Llanddewi Ystradenny, as well as in districts across the upper Wye Valley in Breconshire.<ref> William H. Brackney, ''Historical Dictionary of the Baptists'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2021, p. 623</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biography.wales/article/s-EVAN-HUG-1656|title=The National Library of Wales Dictionary of Welsh Biography|access-date=2009-05-15}}</ref> In 1649, John Myles and Thomas Proud were appointed ministers at Ilston parish, before emigrating to Swansea, Massachusetts in 1663.<ref> Robert E. Johnson, ''A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches'', Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 108</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstbaptistinswansea.org/350thcelebration.html |title=First Baptist church in Swansea |access-date=2009-05-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622081233/http://www.firstbaptistinswansea.org/350thcelebration.html |archive-date=2011-06-22 }}</ref> Myles and Proud were connected to the Particular Baptists in London. In 1650, three Baptist churches held the first Baptist General Assembly in Wales. A national body was organized in 1866.<ref> Robert E. Johnson, ''A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches'', Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 109</ref>

==Membership== {{baptist}} According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 8,105 members and 315 churches.<ref> Baptist World Alliance, [https://www.baptistworld.org/member-unions/ Members], baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023</ref>

==See also== *Nonconformism *Religion in Wales

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.buw.org.uk/ Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru/Baptist Union of Wales] - official Web Site *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090408074013/http://www.shropshirebaptist.org.uk/history.htm Shropshire Baptist History Introduction]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baptist Union Of Wales}} Category:1866 establishments in Wales Category:Baptist Christianity in Wales Category:Baptist denominations in the United Kingdom Category:Religious organizations established in 1866