Hughes was born in the small village of Cilgeraint, Llandygai, Carnarvonshire; his father was a deacon of the Independent church at Cororion, and district president of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

[2] Successively, Hughes took charge of churches at Rhos-y-lan, Tabor, and Llanystumdwy, at Jackson Street, Manchester, and at Capelhelyg, Chwilog, and Abererch in Carnarvonshire.

At Abererch he set up a printing–press, and edited Yr Arweinydd, a penny monthly, for many years.

In 1859 he moved to Aberdare, where he took charge of the new church at Bethel, and gathered a large congregation.

In early life he competed frequently and successfully at eisteddfodau, and later often acted as an adjudicator.