Historical Marker
Soules Chapel Methodist Church
Historical marker location:
Gilmer, Texas
( 10 mi. NW of Gilmer on FM 556)
Marker installed: 1977
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.