John Owen (Bishop of St Davids)

[1] Born at Ysgubor Wen, Caernarfonshire (Gwynedd), his father Griffith Owen was a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist.

Owen's mother, Ann Jones from Aberdaron, could not easily reconcile herself to her son becoming an Anglican, however, nor could she wholly accept the fact that he married an English wife.

Whilst at Botwnnog, Owen discovered an interest in the Anglicanism and was gradually drawn towards ordination, though he decided to teach for a few years until he was sure of his vocation.

In 1889, A. G. Edwards, newly appointed Bishop of St Asaph, invited Owen to join him as dean.

In January 1897, Basil Jones, Bishop of St David's, died and, within six weeks, Owen had been named as his successor.

Owen is extremely well documented not least in the press, both denominational and national (in both senses) due to his combative nature and the controversial positions he took.