Soules Chapel Methodist Church
Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Rev. Joshua Soule (1781-1867), original bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, visited East Texas in 1846. Worshiping in a log cabin across the road from this site as early as the 1850s, settlers gave his name to their church. The cemetery here was in use by 1856. L. E. Harkey and M. T. L. Williams on Dec. 21, 1871, deeded to Soules Chapel trustees James Bryce, Oran Hinson, Peter Hogan and Nathan H. Morris about six acres of land at this site. The present sanctuary was built after a destructive fire in 1977.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Named for Bishop Joshua Soule of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, who toured East Texas in 1846, this congregation grew from settlers worshiping in a log cabin by the 1850s. The cemetery was already in use by 1856, and in 1871 local landowners deeded acreage to the church's trustees. The present sanctuary rose after a fire destroyed the earlier building in 1977.
Why it matters
It reflects how frontier Methodism knit together scattered East Texas settlers into lasting communities in the decades around statehood.
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Related people
- · Joshua Soule
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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