This Week in Texas Methodist History-Jan. 23

January 23, 1843, Rev. T. O. Summers celebrates dedication of Ryland Chapel in Galveston.

Although the Texas Conference was created in 1840, it depended upon volunteers and philanthropy from the United States for several years after its creation. Two members of the Texas Conference took extended trips north in 1842 that produced grand results. Littleton Fowler went on a recruiting trip to the Ohio Valley. He recruited 7 preachers in Ohio including Homer Thrall and John Wesley DeVilbiss who became two of the giants of Texas Methodism. Rev. Thomas O. Summers' mission was fundraising rather than recruting. He had his greatest success in the Baltimore/Washington. D. C. area.

One of the contributors was the Rev. William Ryland, Chaplain of the U. S. Senate. He donated $1800 for building churches in Texas. On Jan. 23, 1843 Summers wrote to the editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal to describe the dedication of Ryland Chapel in Galveston which had been held the previous day. At eleven o'clock the choir sang "The Lord is in his holy temple." The congregation then sang the hymn, Behold thy Temple, Lord of Grace, followed by the Old 100. In a curious example of ecuminism, the dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. I. J. Henderson, Presbyterian pastor. Then the Lord's Supper was administered to a small congregation of members of four or five denominations. Summers wrote, "It was very pleasant for brethren thus to dwell in unity."

Thomas Summers did not remain in Texas. In 1844 he transferred to the Alabama Conference and went on a distinguished career at the Publishing House in Nashville. He was editor of the Quarterly Review, author of many articles, secretary of several General Conferences, and an officer in the Missionary Society.