Bevan was born in
Llanelly, Carmarthen, Wales. He was the son of the
actuary Hopkin Bevan and his wife Eliza (
née Davies). Bevan studied at
New College, then at the
University of London (B.A., 1862 and LL.B. 1865). Ordained in 1865, Bevan assisted
Thomas Binney at
King's Weigh House Chapel; then 1869–75 was minister of the major Congregational church
Tottenham Court Chapel. Bevan married Louisa Jane,
née Willett in Southampton on 2 April 1870. In 1873 Bevan was elected to the
London School Board supporting 'free, compulsory and secular' education. In 1874 Bevan visited the
United States of America and ministered at the Central Church, Brooklyn for two months. Bevan subsequently received offers from several churches including the
Collins Street Independent Church,
Melbourne, Australia, before accepting to minister at the
Brick Presbyterian Church (New York City) in 1876. Bevan became moderator of the New York Presbytery in 1880. Awarded a doctorate by
Princeton University in 1882, Bevan moved back to London where he was encouraged to run for a seat in parliament. Partly due to health issues, Bevan decided instead to accept a fourth offer to minister at the Collins Street Independent Church. ==Australia==