This year marks 300 years since the birth of Wales' most prolific hymn writers, William Williams Pantycelyn.

Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah – better known today as the rugby anthem Bread of Heaven – was originally written in Welsh by William Williams in the 18th Century.

This weekend S4C’s music of praise programme Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol will look at one of the key figures in the Welsh religious revival in the 18th century in a special episode.

The programme on Sunday, February 12, at 7.30pm marks the anniversary with a service filmed at Llanfair ar y Bryn Church in Llandovery where Williams is buried.

Professor Wyn James from Cardiff University will discuss the life and work of William Williams (1717-1791), a man who had intended to become a doctor, but converted and turned to the ministry under the preaching of the evangelical Methodist revivalist Howell Harris.

Dr James is a world expert on Williams and his work and believes his hymns and their message have travelled through the ages too, making him one of the most influential Welshman in our history.

Dr James says, "You can certainly call him the father of the Welsh congregational hymn. There were very few hymns sung in services before his Methodist revival. With the revival, people experienced a religious conversion that led to different feelings of joy in their newly found salvation. These people couldn't express their feelings through literature, but they could express their desires and feelings through these songs.

"A number of religious leaders were writing hymns, such as Howell Harris and Daniel Rowland but none of them were as prolific as Williams.

"Of all the Welsh figures in our history, I would argue that he has had the most influence on the mindset and thinking of Welsh people over recent centuries. When you think of all the popular poets, writers and singers, it is difficult to think of any with the same influence as Williams.

"In their turn, his hymns have helped to develop the radicalism which has been such an influence on our society from the end of the 18th century onwards."

In the programme, there will be performances by The Three Baritones and Côr Bro Nest. We'll also hear some of his most popular hymns conducted by Philip Watkins with Elaine Robbins on the organ.