Howell Harris

Howell Harris (1714-1773) was one of the three great leaders of the "Methodist Revival" in 18th century Wales (along with Daniel Rowland and William Williams Pantycelyn). Harris was born at Talgarth in Brecknockshire, but did not undergo his religious conversion until the age of twenty-one. Having failed to be accepted for ordination, he became a travelling preacher. He joined the Methodist movement in 1735, and was tireless in his determination to spread the word throughout Wales. His preaching often led him into personal danger, and he endured considerable persecution and hardship before gaining a following. In 1750, having fallen out with Rowland and been the subject of a public scandal, he retreated to Trefecca near Brecon, in his home county, where he became the "father" of a religious community. The "family" at Trefecca was founded in 1752. However, Harris had not given up preaching, and resumed his former activities in 1763. When he died, ten years later, and was buried close to his birthplace at Talgarth, twenty thousand people are said to have attended his funeral. He was effectively the founder of the Presbyterian or Calvinistic Methodist church in Wales.