This Week in Texas Methodist History   October 9

Pioneer Pastor, Founder of Fort Worth Church, J. W. Chalk, Dies at Pilot Point, October 10, 1907

The organized of Methodism in Fort Worth and Farmersville, Rev. J. W. Chalk died on October 10, 1907.  Here is a 1912 account of his life. 

Rev. J. W. Chalk, one of the organic members of the North Texas conference, came from Maury County, Tennessee, in 1851; was admitted on trial in the old Texas conference, and sent to the frontier work. He organized the church in Fort Worth in 1855 or 1856; transferred to the East Texas conference, and was a pioneer preacher when it took grit and grace to do the work of a Methodist itinerant preacher. In those days, it was necessary to protect himself from the marauding bands of Indians, and he had to carry his gun, as well as his Bible. He had seen service in the Mexican war, and learned to face danger, and trust in God. He was a most honorable man, and was popular with all the people. His work on this circuit was crowned with great success, and many were added to the church. After more than a half century in the ministry, he fell asleep in Pilot Point. Many will rise up in the judgment and call him blessed.

Among his other appointments were Red Oak, Honey Grove, Bonham, Jacksonville, Bonham, and the Dallas and Denton Districts.