Rev Evan Robert Evans was born in Dowlais in 1865, the son of David Evans, who was born in Carmarthen in 1833. He trained at Pontypool Baptist College , and came to Adulam Chapel, Pontardawe as minister in February 1888. He ministered there until his death in November 1915 at the age of only fifty-one. In 1910, he married Margaret, who was born in Carmarthen in 1868.

In February 1888, when the Rev E R Evans came as a young man, the members numbered 45 and before he died in 1915 there were over 200 members.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, Saturday 13th November 1915:-

RESPECTED PASTOR'S DEATH

The death took place at his residence 3 Dynevor Terrace Pontardawe on Sunday morning of the Rev E R Evans, pastor of Adulam Baptist Chapel Pontardawe. The deceased, who was 51 years of age, had not been in good health for about a year and had been unable to occupy his pulpit for the past eight months.
Touching references to the death of the Rev gentleman were made in the various churches during the day to the loss the district had sustained. He was exceedingly popular in the Valley and was held in the highest esteem by all. As a preacher, he was well known throughout the Baptist denomination, and had been nominated for honours with the Welsh Baptist Union and the West Glamorgan Baptist Association.
Mr Evans was a native of Dowlais but went to Llanelly with his parents at the age of 10. He was trained for the pulpit at Pontypool College. He accepted a call to Adulam Pontardawe in 1888. When he came to Pontardawe 26 years ago there were only about 45 members connected with the church. The membership today is about 250.
The deceased leaves a widow for whom the deepest sympathy is being felt.

THE FUNERAL

Touching- in the extreme- were the tributes delivered at Adulam Chapel on Thursday morning at the funeral of the late Pastor. There was a large and representative gathering and the service throughout was of a most impressive character. The pulpit had been draped for the occasion and the coffin was carried in and placed on the table in the "set fawr" the "Dead March" was played by Mr Gomer Thomas. The Rev William Jones Soar Ystalyfera had charge of the service. First of all a portion of Scripture was read by the Rev C J Pipe Abercrave, after which the Rev Ben Lewis Llangyfelach, followed with prayer. Mr Tom George, secretary of the chapel then read a number of letters of apology from a number of ministers who were unable to attend and also resolutions of sympathy passed at a number of churches in the district...
The service closed with prayer by the Rev D Price Bethesda Swansea. The cortege then left for Llandilo Church, where the remains were interred. There were a number of beautiful floral tributes.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 1st November 1919:-

LIBRARY FOR SALE

The library of the late Rev E R Evans, Adulam, is being offered for sale by Mrs Evans at her residence 2 Dynevor Terrace.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 20th December 1919:-

We are pleased to be able to state that Mrs M Evans, widow of the Rev E R Evans, late Pastor of Adulam, has returned home from a private hospital at Swansea and is now doing well.

The Labour Voice newspaper of Saturday January 12th 1924 reported that a memorial tablet to the Rev E.R. Evans, as well as one to the members of the church killed in the First World War, would be unveiled the following Sunday:-

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT ADULAM

Next Sunday evening a memorial service will be held at Adulam Church, when the pastor, Rev L.G. Lewis, will unveil memorial tablets to the memory of the late pastor of the chapel, Rev E.R. Evans, who was minister of Adulam for 27 years, and also to the memory of those members of the church who made the great sacrifice during the war.