Rowland Hill (preacher)

Rowland Hill by Samuel Mountjoy Smith

Rowland Hill
Born	23 August 1744 Hawkstone Park, Shropshire, England
Died	11 April 1833 London, England
Occupation	Preacher, Evangelist

Rowland Hill (23 August 1744 – 11 April 1833) was an English preacher and evangelist. He was known for his passionate and unconventional preaching style, which attracted large audiences and had a significant impact on the religious landscape of his time.

Early Life

Rowland Hill was born at Hawkstone Park in Shropshire, England. He was the sixth son of Sir Rowland Hill, 1st Baronet, a prominent landowner. Hill was educated at Shrewsbury School and later attended Eton College and St John's College, Cambridge.

Ministry

Hill was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1773. However, his unconventional methods and itinerant preaching led to conflicts with church authorities. He often preached in the open air and in nonconformist chapels, which was frowned upon by the established church.

In 1783, Hill became the minister of the Surrey Chapel in London, where he served for the rest of his life. The chapel became a center for evangelical activity, and Hill's dynamic preaching drew large congregations.

Contributions

Rowland Hill was a pioneer of itinerant preaching and was instrumental in the spread of Methodism and Evangelicalism in England. He was also involved in various social causes, including the establishment of schools and the promotion of vaccination.

Legacy

Hill's influence extended beyond his lifetime, with many of his sermons and writings being published posthumously. He is remembered as a key figure in the Evangelical Revival and for his contributions to the spread of evangelical Christianity.

Related Pages

• Evangelicalism
• Methodism
• Surrey Chapel
• Itinerant preaching
• Evangelical Revival