View source for Baptist Union of Wales

{{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)|Nonconformist]] [[Protestantism]]
|orientation         = [[Evangelical]]
|theology = [[Baptist]]
|polity              = [[Congregational 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]] [[Christian denomination|denomination]] in [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom]]. The Union is affiliated with the [[Baptist World Alliance]], the [[European Baptist Federation]], the [[Free Church Federation]], the [[Cytûn|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 (Christianity)|minister]] [[Hugh Evans (minister)|Hugh Evans]] was the first minister to preach Baptist doctrines in Wales, around 1646, in the parishes of [[Llanyre|Llan-hir]], [[Cefnllys]], [[Nantmel]], and [[Knighton Rural District|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 (minister)|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==
*[[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|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]

{{UK baptist denominations}}
{{Christianity in the United Kingdom}}
{{Religion in Wales}}
{{Authority control}}

{{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]]