A new vicar takes over Wales’ only designated Welsh language Anglican church this week.
Revd Dyfrig Lloyd will be inducted as Vicar of Eglwys Dewi Sant, in the heart of Cardiff, by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, at a service on Monday evening (May 16).
Mr Lloyd, 30, comes to Cardiff from West Wales where he was serving as team vicar in the Lampeter area. His appointment follows the retirement of the Revd Hywel Davies who was priest-in-charge of Dewi Sant from 2008. As well as vicar of Dewi Sant, Mr Lloyd will also be the Welsh language officer for Llandaff Diocese.
Eglwys Dewi Sant, was established as a Welsh-language church in 1889 and has been based at the present building in St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff since 1956. While most Anglican churches in Wales offer bilingual services, it is the only one which conducts all its services through the medium of Welsh.
The Archbishop said, “It’s getting harder and harder to recruit Welsh-speaking clergy from all parts of Wales so I am particularly pleased to be able to appoint Dyfig to this important post right in the heart of the capital city. There are more Welsh-learners in Cardiff than in any other part of Wales and Welsh speakers from all over the country now live and work here. So as a bilingual Church we are keen to support the ministry of Eglwys Dewi Sant.
“Dyfig also brings youth and enthusiasm to his ministry which I hope will help him reach out to a new generation, as well as build on the work the parish is already doing.”
Mr Lloyd was brought up in Llansant, near Kidwelly and Welsh is his first language. He graduated in Biblical Studies at King’s College London and studied theology at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. He was ordained in 2004 and served as a curate in Llandysul before being appointed team vicar for the Rectorial Benefice of Bro Teifi Sarn Helen. He was also a youth officer for the Diocese of St Davids.
His hobbies include singing, wine-making and sea-fishing.
He said, “I am looking forward to coming to Eglwys Dewi Sant and seeing what challenges and opportunities it will offer. I believe it’s important for everyone to be able to worship in their mother tongue and have the ministry of someone they can talk to in their own language.”
Mr Lloyd will be inducted at Eglwys Dewi Sant on Monday, May 16, at 7.30pm.
