His mother being of weak health, he was brought up for the most part by his grandmother, Mary Griffiths of Tynycaeau, a church-woman.
At the age of fifteen, he returned to his father's home, which was now at Bryn Cwtyn, near Pencoed.
Farming, however, was not to his mind, and, having shown a decided bent for letters, he was persuaded by his mother and the rector of St. Mary Hill (afterwards well known as Archdeacon Griffiths of Neath) to prepare for orders in the Church of England.
[5] After that he was secretary for Wales of the Church Pastoral Aid Society from 1857 to 1861, then successively Vicar of Pwllheli 1861–64, St John The Baptist in Cardiff 1865-75, Wrexham 1875-91, and Gresford 1891–97.
In addition he also held the offices of Rural Dean of Wrexham from 1882 to 1892, examining chaplain to the Bishop of St Asaph from 1889 to 1893, Prebendary of Meliden and Canon of St Asaph from 1889 to 1893, and Archdeacon of Wrexham from 1889 to 1897.