Christmas Evans (25 December 1766 – 19 July 1838) was one of Wales’s most remarkable nonconformist ministers, widely recognised as one of the greatest Baptist preachers in British history.

Born on Christmas Day 1766 at Esgairwen in the parish of Llandysul, Cardiganshire, he was the son of a poor shoemaker. His early life was marked by hardship: after his father’s death his upbringing was difficult, and by the age of seventeen he was still unable to read or write.

Evans’s life changed during a local religious revival when he encountered the Presbyterian minister David Davies. This experience sparked his conversion and ignited a passion for learning and Christian ministry. Through determined self-study and the encouragement of others, he quickly learnt to read and began to preach. Early in his life he lost an eye in a violent attack, a defining event that contributed to his enduring nickname, “the one-eyed preacher.”

Evans became known for his vivid imagination, dramatic delivery, and powerful sermons. His preaching attracted large crowds across North and South Wales, and he played a major role in strengthening Baptist communities and building chapels. He served in places such as Llangefni, Caerphilly, and Cardiff, travelling extensively and often preaching multiple times a day.

Despite humble beginnings and personal trials, Christmas Evans’s ministry spanned over fifty years. He was famed for his passionate evangelism and deep spirituality, earning comparisons to John Bunyan and the title “The Bunyan of Wales.” His funeral in Swansea in 1838 was one of the largest ever seen in Wales, reflecting the profound impact he had on Welsh religious life.