Rector of Maesmynis, near Builth Wells, he was born at Llanvareth, Radnor. He graduated from Jesus College, Oxford in 1738 and was ordained priest in 1740, From then until his death he was curate and then rector at Maesmynis. Between 1744 and 1749 John Wesley visited the parish at least nine times, with Phillips acting as his interpreter to his Welsh hearers. Charles Wesley also paid several visits; but there is some evidence that Phillips, who knew the Gwynne family, may have advised against Charles's engagement and marriage to Sarah Gwynne. For that or some other reason there is no evidence of visits to Maesmynis by the Wesley brothers after 1749.