David Lewis was born in Abergavenny in 1616, and was raised as a Protestant. At sixteen years of age, whilst visiting Paris, he converted to Roman Catholicism, later going to study in Rome, where he was Ordained to the Sacred Priesthood and became a Jesuit (the Society of Jesus).
The Jesuit fathers had a college at Welsh Newton, near Monmouth, from which they ministered to the large number of Catholics along the Wales/Hereford border. St. David Lewis was the priest caring for Abergavenny for 31 years, until he was arrested whilst saying Mass, at Llantarnam near Cwmbran, and was taken to London for interrogation.
At his trial, since there was no evidence for him having anything to do with the plot alleged by Titus Oates, he was condemned for High Treason, being a Catholic Priest -six local people gave witness that they had seen him celebrate Mass.
He was taken to Usk, where he was imprisoned for three months whilst awaiting execution. His martyrdom took place on 27th August 1679, near the present Catholic Church. He was buried in Usk Priory Churchyard, near the main door. On the scaffold he said: “Fear God, honour the King. Be firm in your faith; bear persecution patiently, always remembering St. Peter’s words: that reproach borne not for any evil thing, but for Christ’s sake, is a blessing”. He was 63 years of age, a Priest for 37 years.
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