Reverend Joseph S. Evans served as Goshen Baptist pastor from 1861 through 1911. 

Born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, on September 16, 1830, Joseph Evans grew up in Lionville, Chester County, where his Welsh ancestors had settled in 1722. After working on the family farm, he attended Bucknell University. He then became a teacher in West Chester and the first principal of the Adams Street School, later serving as president of the borough's school board until shortly before his death.

Evans joined Goshen Baptist Church in 1859, was ordained in 1861, and served as its pastor for half a century. His ministry was interrupted twice by Civil War service—most notably as chaplain of the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Battle of Antietam in 1862. He completed a final short period of military service in 1865 before returning permanently to Goshen.