Griffith Jones

Griffith Jones, (1684-1761), a minister of the Church of England famous for his work in organising circulating schools in Wales. His name is usually associated with that of Llanddowror, Carmarthenshire.

Jones was born in 1684 at Pen-boyr, Carmarthenshire, and was educated at Carmarthen Grammar School. He was ordained in 1708 and appointed rector of Llanddowror in 1716 remaining there for the rest of his life.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and in 1731 he started circulating schools in Carmarthenshire in order to teach people to read. The schools were held in one location for about three months before moving (or 'circulating') to another place. The language of instruction in these schools was the language of the people, Welsh.

The idea was taken up with enthusiasm and by his death, in 1761, it is estimated that over 200,000 people had learnt to read in schools organised by Jones throughout Wales.

Jones taught people to read in order that they might know those things that were essential for their salvation. The Bible and the Catechism of the Church of England were the only books studied in these schools. But in doing so he created a literate country with a deep knowledge of the Christian scriptures and this in turn is believed by many to have played a key part in making Wales so ready to accept Methodist ideas.

Jones lent his critical support to the Methodist revival, and was a friend of the early leaders. In fact Daniel Rowland was converted through his preaching.

Sources

• Walker, David (Ed.) (1976), A history of the Church in Wales. Penarth : Published for the Historical Society of the Church in Wales by Church in Wales Publications.