What was the Welsh Revival?

The Welsh Revival of 1904—1906 was one of the most significant spiritual awakenings of the early twentieth century. The extraordinary movement swept through Wales—a country in southwest Great Britain that is part of the United Kingdom—resulting in an estimated 100,000 conversions to Christianity. A key figure in the Welsh Revival was Evan John Roberts, a 26-year-old coal miner-turned-evangelist. The spontaneous spiritual outbreak was characterized by unconventional and unorganized services focused on prayer, song, testimony, repentance, and confession. The Welsh Revival had a profound impact on Welsh society and beyond.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Wales was a nation deeply rooted in religious traditions, particularly in its Protestant chapels that did not adhere to the doctrines of the Church of England. However, by the early 1900s, church attendance had begun to decline, and a growing sense of spiritual apathy was evident. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and socio-economic challenges further contributed to the erosion of religious life. Amid this atmosphere of cultural and spiritual decline, the Welsh Revival emerged as a beacon of hope and renewal.

Evan John Roberts was born in 1878 in Loughor, a small mining village in South Wales. He became the central figure of the Welsh Revival. A devout Christian brought up in the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, Roberts felt a calling to dedicate his life to God. In 1904, while attending a mission conference in Newcastle Emlyn, he experienced an intense spiritual renewal. He came to believe that a revival was imminent, and he returned to his hometown determined to spread the gospel.

The Welsh Revival exhibited several distinct features that set it apart from traditional Protestant gatherings in Wales. Roberts and other leaders of the revival were all under the age of thirty. None were gifted preachers, and most had little education and had humble upbringings. Some of the most impactful ministers were young people, such as Florrie Evans, who shared her simple testimony, “I am not able to say very much today but I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart—he died for me” (https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/ch153-welsh-revival, accessed 6/16/25). Florrie’s seemingly ordinary statement (and others like hers), delivered with a trembling voice, is said to have created a powerful impact that ignited a flame of spiritual revival.

Rarely were actual sermons preached at the Welsh Revival services. The meetings were devoted to spontaneous and deeply emotional prayer, congregational singing, heartfelt testimony, and exhortation. Emphasis was given to the work of the Holy Spirit and a fervent dedication to Christ. Attendees were encouraged to confess their sins openly and seek forgiveness. The hymn “Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean” became an anthem of the movement. Participants shared personal stories of spiritual transformation, inspiring others to commit their lives to Christ.

The Welsh Revival began in early 1904 and reached its peak by New Year’s of 1905. Meetings drew people from all walks of life, including miners, farmers, and even skeptics. Churches and chapels were filled to capacity, with nightly meetings lasting into the early morning hours. The movement spread to various denominations and social classes, resulting in remarkable social, behavioral, and ethical changes. Crime rates and public drunkenness reportedly plummeted. Taverns and pubs saw a significant decline in patronage. Even the coal mines of Wales felt the impact as miners, transformed by their faith, stopped using profanity and began treating their mules with greater kindness. It is said that the animals, confused by the unfamiliar language and lack of cruelty from the men, did not know what to do.

The Welsh Revival’s influence extended far beyond Wales. News of the movement captivated the Christian world, inspiring similar awakenings in England, Scotland, Scandinavia, and even as far as the United States, India, and Korea. An estimated 5 million conversions had taken place worldwide by 1906. The revival helped spark the global Pentecostal movement, which emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life.

Despite its overwhelmingly positive impact, the Welsh Revival subsided as unexpectedly as it arose, leaving some disillusionment in its wake. Traditional church leaders were skeptical of the movement’s emotional intensity and perceived lack of structure. Others questioned the lasting impact of such an emotionally charged revival, noting that church attendance began to decline again within a few years.

Roberts himself struggled under the weight of public attention and criticism. By 1906, he had largely withdrawn from public ministry, choosing a quieter, more contemplative life.

Although the Welsh Revival diminished in fervor, its cultural and spiritual reforms left a lasting mark on Welsh Christianity. Its emphasis on personal faith, community, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit continues to inspire Christians worldwide.

The Welsh Revival of 1904—1906 remains a defining moment in the spiritual history of Wales. The movement highlighted the role of ordinary people in extraordinary movements, demonstrating that spiritual renewal often begins at the grassroots level.