'Welsh Awakenings' Production Vlog 5: Llanystumdwy & Llangefni (24 June 2021)

Jonathan and Dan begin in Llanystumdwy, to visit the grave of David Lloyd George (1863-1945), as part of the final chapter of the documentary, to examine the social and religious landscape of Wales in the early years of the 20th century. Lloyd George was a Welsh non-conformist, and prime minister of the UK from 1916 to 1922. He was instrumental in introducing the Welsh Church Act which disestablished the Church of England in Wales. Just over 100 years after the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist denomination was formed in 1811 in opposition to the dominant Anglican Church, the tables had now completely turned. However, despite this apparent triumph, power and popularity was also bringing a form of Christianity which was far from healthy. One of the main problems in the Welsh church was a theological liberalism that rejected the supernatural. It was important to me, when embarking on this documentary, that we show both the high points of revival as well as the reasons for the major decline of Christianity in Wales in the 20th century, so that hopefully, through seeing the big picture of history, lessons can be learned by both my countrymen and Christians around the world, particularly nations undergoing experiences of decline similar to what Wales has already been through.
We then head up to Llangefni, on Anglesey, and meet up with Hywel Meredydd Davies, pastor of Capel Cildwrn - which was the chapel of Christmas Evans (1766-1813), one of the great preachers of the 19th century. He was said to be the greatest preacher the Baptist Church had ever produced in Britain, and God greatly blessed his ministry throughout Wales. The vivid imagination he displayed during his preaching earned him the nickname "The Bunyan of Wales". He grew up illiterate, but during a revival, with the help of ministers, he learned to read and write.
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