Ryan Chapel
Diboll vicinity, Angelina County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded 1866, after new settler, Rev. Isaac Ryan, had Methodist revival in home before occupying it. His brother John was one of 19 charter members. L. H. D. and Sallie Guinn gave 7.5 acres for church and cemetery. First 16 by 20-ft. church had puncheon seats and floor. First pastor, Rev. Henry Wright, was paid in bacon, corn, syrup. (1964)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Ryan Chapel grew from an 1866 Methodist revival held by newcomer Rev. Isaac Ryan in his own home; his brother John was among the 19 charter members. L. H. D. and Sallie Guinn donated 7.5 acres for a church and cemetery, and the first 16-by-20-foot sanctuary had rough puncheon seats and floor. Its first pastor, Rev. Henry Wright, was paid in bacon, corn, and syrup.
Why it matters
The barter-paid preacher and split-log pews capture how faith communities took hold in the hardscrabble economy of East Texas just after the Civil War.
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Related people
- · Isaac Ryan
- · Henry Wright
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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