John Welch

author

John Welch

d. 1622

A fiery Scottish minister of the Reformation era, he became known for fearless preaching, long hours of prayer, and endurance through exile and illness. His life sits at the crossroads of early Presbyterian history and the legacy of John Knox, whose daughter he married.

1 Audiobook

The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

by John Knox, Hugh Latimer, John Welch

About the author

Born around 1568, John Welsh of Ayr was a Scottish Presbyterian minister remembered for his forceful preaching and deep personal devotion. After an unruly youth, he studied for the ministry and went on to serve in places including Selkirk, Kirkcudbright, and Ayr, where he became especially well known.

Welsh lived during a tense period of conflict between the Scottish Kirk and royal authority. Because he resisted attempts to control the church, he was imprisoned and later banished from Scotland. He spent years in France, ministering to fellow Scots in exile while continuing to suffer from poor health.

He was also closely tied to one of the best-known families of the Scottish Reformation through his marriage to Elizabeth Knox, daughter of John Knox. Stories about him often highlight both his courage and his intense habits of prayer, which helped make him a lasting figure in Presbyterian memory after his death in 1622.