Wallis Thomas
Wallis Huw Wallis Thomas (10 March 1906 – 2001) was a
Archdeacon of Merioneth
from 1959 to 1976, but was still thought of as the Archdeacon long after his retirement, and was generally known as "the Arch".
Life
Thomas was born in
Merioneth from 1959 to 1976 and was generally known as "the Arch" even after his retirement.[1] His successors as Archdeacon, including Barry Morgan (later Bishop of Llandaff and Archbishop of Wales) and Carl Cooper (later Bishop of St Davids), were left in no doubt by parishioners that Thomas was still the real Archdeacon as far as they were concerned.[2] He continued to preach and lead services, in Dolgellau and in Llanelltyd, until well after his 90th birthday, sometimes playing the organ as well.[1] He was described as the oldest working priest in Britain.[2] He attributed the fact that he rose no higher than Archdeacon to his working-class background and his unmarried status.[2]
He was regarded as a fine speaker and raconteur, and a man of great charm, with a worldwide circle of friends; his female admirers were sometimes nicknamed the "
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from 1959 onwards.[2]