Thomas Chapel United Methodist Church
512 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Willis, Texas 77378
2021 - 2023 / edited February 3, 2024
Thomas Chapel UMC is believed to be the oldest church building in continuous use in Montgomery County, Texas, and has been designated a Texas Landmark building. On this site, slaves from the large plantations at Danville were given permission to hold church services in a brush arbor beginning in the 1830s. After Emancipation, these former slaves constructed a log church structure for worship services on this site before the current city of Willis, Tx, existed.
When the International and Great Northern Railroad bought a right-of-way through the county in 1870s, they hired the Texas Land Company to plat the town, officially giving the log-cabin worship site to the congregation for a church. In 1899, the sons and grandsons of these formerly enslaved people of the Greenwood Plantation and others in Danville replaced the log-cabin church with the current Landmark church built with their own labor. Their names are inscribed on the cornerstone of the building.
The history of recent restoration efforts for Thomas Chapel
This church has always held a place of great importance in the city of Willis and the surrounding area. It had a large congregation where all types of community events took place. It served as a school in early days where adult community members were taught to read and write because it was against the law for enslaved people to be taught. There were numerous children’s programs. It was the center of activities to empower people to register to vote during the Civil Right era. The majority of members of the church are traditionally buried in the large Willis Rest Haven Cemetery a few blocks from the church, so there is a strong community connection to that cemetery with church members serving on its board.
In 2004, the church applied to the Texas Historical Commission for a grant to do some restoration to the building. The Austin staff evaluated the building, determined things that needed to be done, and awarded a matching grant of about $57,000. The church was unable to raise the funds for the match and so did not receive the money. Records show that they received no assistance from any outside groups in raising the funds in 2004.
As development in the city of Willis has rapidly increased in the past 20 years, the building continued to age and lose members to newer churches that have opened nearby. The city of Willis’ contribution to this project was the waiver of permit fees for construction. The church sits in the center of the African American neighborhood and its congregation now consists of older African Americans. Since the spring of 2020, they have been holding services remotely because of the Covid epidemic.
In the fall of 2021, two members of the Montgomery County Historical Commission who were aware of the threat to this landmark building began to plan for Phase I of its restoration, the repair and leveling of the building’s foundation.
This church has always held a place of great importance in the city of Willis and the surrounding area. It had a large congregation where all types of community events took place. It served as a school in early days where adult community members were taught to read and write because it was against the law for enslaved people to be taught. There were numerous children’s programs. It was the center of activities to empower people to register to vote during the Civil Right era. The majority of members of the church are traditionally buried in the large Willis Rest Haven Cemetery a few blocks from the church, so there is a strong community connection to that cemetery with church members serving on its board.
In 2004, the church applied to the Texas Historical Commission for a grant to do some restoration to the building. The Austin staff evaluated the building, determined things that needed to be done, and awarded a matching grant of about $57,000. The church was unable to raise the funds for the match and so did not receive the money. Records show that they received no assistance from any outside groups in raising the funds in 2004.
As development in the city of Willis has rapidly increased in the past 20 years, the building continued to age and lose members to newer churches that have opened nearby. The city of Willis’ contribution to this project was the waiver of permit fees for construction. The church sits in the center of the African American neighborhood and its congregation now consists of older African Americans. Since the spring of 2020, they have been holding services remotely because of the Covid epidemic.
In the fall of 2021, two members of the Montgomery County Historical Commission who were aware of the threat to this landmark building began to plan for Phase I of its restoration, the repair and leveling of the building’s foundation.
Leveling the building : Before
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Leveling the building: After
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With a contribution from a private donor who was a member of the 501c3 nonprofit History Taskforce, the Heritage Museum of Conroe sponsored the leveling of the building and was reimbursed with funding from the Montgomery County Historical Commission. Following this work, the Heritage museum decided that they did not want to continue with this project.
The History Taskforce organization knew that Phase I was the just the first necessary step, but much more needed to be done. Using private funds, they began Phase II of the chapel’s restoration. They applied for and were awarded some reimbursement from the Montgomery County Historical Commission.
This work could not have been accomplished without the master carpentry work of Reverend Orbra Toliver, pastor of Toliver Memorial Church of God in Willis. The church, named after his father Reverend Chester A. Toliver, is near the Willis Rest Haven Cemetery and was built by his father and him. Rev. Toliver has spent over a year working on this building, working at a fraction of the rate that he normally receives for his work. Like the men who built the original building 123 years earlier, he said he works to help the community.
The Phase II work fell into several distinct projects:
1. The rear entry handicap ramp
Although the oldest part of the church had little damage to its foundation after 123 years, the 1952 addition of a community room at the rear of the building was not as soundly built. Considerable damage to foundation beams was found, and this section needed to be raised by about 8 inches on the northwest corner. All this was repaired in Phase I. Because the back of the building was raised, it was necessary to rebuild the handicap ramp that led to the back entry. The original ramp did not meet code and was not in useable condition, so it was replaced. Below is the original ramp and the new replacement ramp.
The History Taskforce organization knew that Phase I was the just the first necessary step, but much more needed to be done. Using private funds, they began Phase II of the chapel’s restoration. They applied for and were awarded some reimbursement from the Montgomery County Historical Commission.
This work could not have been accomplished without the master carpentry work of Reverend Orbra Toliver, pastor of Toliver Memorial Church of God in Willis. The church, named after his father Reverend Chester A. Toliver, is near the Willis Rest Haven Cemetery and was built by his father and him. Rev. Toliver has spent over a year working on this building, working at a fraction of the rate that he normally receives for his work. Like the men who built the original building 123 years earlier, he said he works to help the community.
The Phase II work fell into several distinct projects:
1. The rear entry handicap ramp
Although the oldest part of the church had little damage to its foundation after 123 years, the 1952 addition of a community room at the rear of the building was not as soundly built. Considerable damage to foundation beams was found, and this section needed to be raised by about 8 inches on the northwest corner. All this was repaired in Phase I. Because the back of the building was raised, it was necessary to rebuild the handicap ramp that led to the back entry. The original ramp did not meet code and was not in useable condition, so it was replaced. Below is the original ramp and the new replacement ramp.
The original handicap ramp
New handicap ramp
2. The men’s bathroom steps and door
Then the 1952 addition was built, the ladies’ bathroom had an entry from inside the building, but the men’s room was entered from an exterior door. The floor to the men’s room was rotted from water coming into the building under the door. The toilets in both restrooms were cracked and leaking and were replaced with donated fixtures from Full Force Plumbing.
The original men's room door. The steps had collapsed
New door and steps. A second handrail was installed after this photo
Original rotted floor in men's room
New sheet vinyl floor in men's room donated by members of the History Taskforce
3. Extending the sewer pipes and replacing all the water pipes and restroom fixtures
Raising the building required extending the sewer pipes to the toilets. All the plumbing pipes going to sinks and toilets, hot water heater, and kitchen sink were old and leaking and were replaced. A new insulated cut-off box was put in where water comes into the building from the street.
4. Air conditioning ducts
The building was originally built with a tongue and groove bead board vaulted ceiling which remains intact. Some years ago when the building was air conditioned, a tile dropped-ceiling in a frame was installed. This became a problem when raccoons were able to get into the ceiling and nest in the insulation around the A/C ducts.
Raising the building required extending the sewer pipes to the toilets. All the plumbing pipes going to sinks and toilets, hot water heater, and kitchen sink were old and leaking and were replaced. A new insulated cut-off box was put in where water comes into the building from the street.
4. Air conditioning ducts
The building was originally built with a tongue and groove bead board vaulted ceiling which remains intact. Some years ago when the building was air conditioned, a tile dropped-ceiling in a frame was installed. This became a problem when raccoons were able to get into the ceiling and nest in the insulation around the A/C ducts.
The photo shows the vaulted ceiling with old light fixtures and in the upper right the duct work damaged by raccoons. It was necessary to replace all the duct work
This photo shows the main air ducts about to be installed. This size of duct needed is no longer commonly used and had to be located online and shipped in. It also shows another view of the original vaulted ceiling of the building
When this was completed, the new ceiling tiles had to be installed
5. Repairing raccoon damage to building
In order to prevent additional raccoon damage to the building, their entry way into the building had to be discovered. After search all through the building to find a spot where they could enter, a wall in the foyer that held the bell tower ladder was taken down. A very large hole was found in the floor where raccoons had gnawed through the floor and were climbing the bell tower ladder to get into the space where the air ducts were located. Live traps were set out to capture any raccoons that remained in the building.
In order to prevent additional raccoon damage to the building, their entry way into the building had to be discovered. After search all through the building to find a spot where they could enter, a wall in the foyer that held the bell tower ladder was taken down. A very large hole was found in the floor where raccoons had gnawed through the floor and were climbing the bell tower ladder to get into the space where the air ducts were located. Live traps were set out to capture any raccoons that remained in the building.
Repairing the raccoon entry hole was difficult because the work space was so small
Raccoon damage: After
6. Replacing the lattice work around the foundation of the building
As a safe guard against animals getting under the building, a wooden frame work was built between all the piers holding up the building. It was anchored with bolts to each pier. Wire was secured on each section and then white lattice was secured to the outside.
As a safe guard against animals getting under the building, a wooden frame work was built between all the piers holding up the building. It was anchored with bolts to each pier. Wire was secured on each section and then white lattice was secured to the outside.
Framework
Finished trim
7. Replacing the back entry door
The door on the rear entry to the original 1952 addition to the building had been improperly installed. It could not be properly locked. The original door was taken down, the door frame rebuilt with a new threshold, and a new knob and lock were installed.
The door on the rear entry to the original 1952 addition to the building had been improperly installed. It could not be properly locked. The original door was taken down, the door frame rebuilt with a new threshold, and a new knob and lock were installed.
Rev. Toliver replaces the original threshold of the door which had been constructed from a sawmill slab
Rev. Toliver rebuilding the door frame
8. Replacing the gas piping to the heating system
All the original galvanized gas piping beneath the building and connections to the gas heating units in the building were inspected and repaired as needed by Latino Plumbing. New vents to those units were installed on the roof.
9. Restoration of four windows in fellowship hall built 1952
The frames of the four windows in the fellowship hall addition built onto the rear (north side) of the building in 1952 had completely rotted. The glass panes had fallen out of some of them and had been replaced with plywood or cardboard. The unusual age of the windows, which were salvaged from the demolition of other local buildings when the the original construction of the addition began, required that they be reproduced by a skilled carpenter by hand.
All the original galvanized gas piping beneath the building and connections to the gas heating units in the building were inspected and repaired as needed by Latino Plumbing. New vents to those units were installed on the roof.
9. Restoration of four windows in fellowship hall built 1952
The frames of the four windows in the fellowship hall addition built onto the rear (north side) of the building in 1952 had completely rotted. The glass panes had fallen out of some of them and had been replaced with plywood or cardboard. The unusual age of the windows, which were salvaged from the demolition of other local buildings when the the original construction of the addition began, required that they be reproduced by a skilled carpenter by hand.
Old damaged windows in fellowship hall
Damaged and rotten window frame
Installing new hand-crafted windows
New windows installed in fellowship hall
Phase III of the Thomas Chapel project:
1. Repairs to the standing metal seam roof – approximate cost $17,000
Several roofing companies examined the roof and found that the metal sheets on the 25+-year-old roof are in relatively good condition. The 20,000 fasteners that hold the sheets on, however, have rusted away and had to be replaced and sealed. The flashing around the bell tower had leaks, allowing water to leak into the sanctuary and run down the façade of the building. This problem was identified by THC in 2004 when the church asked for and received at matching grant. The church could not raise the $28,000 matching money and so the grant was not funded. The problem still existed 20 years later and had caused the siding on the front exterior of the building to rot. These repairs were made in early January, 2024.
1. Repairs to the standing metal seam roof – approximate cost $17,000
Several roofing companies examined the roof and found that the metal sheets on the 25+-year-old roof are in relatively good condition. The 20,000 fasteners that hold the sheets on, however, have rusted away and had to be replaced and sealed. The flashing around the bell tower had leaks, allowing water to leak into the sanctuary and run down the façade of the building. This problem was identified by THC in 2004 when the church asked for and received at matching grant. The church could not raise the $28,000 matching money and so the grant was not funded. The problem still existed 20 years later and had caused the siding on the front exterior of the building to rot. These repairs were made in early January, 2024.
Flashing around the bell tower created leaks inside the sanctuary and water damage to the exterior of the front of the building. The flashing has been repaired
In mid-January 2024, Gulf Storms Roofing and Construction repaired the roof by replacing 20,000 metal fasteners and the new flashing around the bell tower. Due to the steepness of the roof, special safety harnesses had to be used by the workers. |
A bullet hole in the roof was also discovered and repaired
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2. Repairs to the water damaged front façade of the building – approximate cost is $19,000
Although the Texas Historical Commission in 2004 granted a matching grant to the project, the church could not raise the $28,000 to take advantage of that opportunity. The History Taskforce in 2023 applied again for a grant to correct the 20-year-old issue in this Landmark building but this effort produced no funding for the roof repairs or to repair damage to the façade of the building.
Although the Texas Historical Commission in 2004 granted a matching grant to the project, the church could not raise the $28,000 to take advantage of that opportunity. The History Taskforce in 2023 applied again for a grant to correct the 20-year-old issue in this Landmark building but this effort produced no funding for the roof repairs or to repair damage to the façade of the building.
Water damage to façade right of the front door
This damage occurred for the most part on the front wall of the building because of a 25+ year old roof leak. The rotted wood needed to be replaced and the wall caulked and painted
Condition of the façade became critical
On January 29, 2024, the History Taskforce felt that work needed on the façade had become urgent. Due to lack of grant money for this project, the repairs to the façade of the Landmark building were begun with personal funding from members of the History Taskforce and with ongoing continuous fundraising efforts. Action on this issue needed to begin as soon as possible. Rotting boards were falling off the building and keeping water out of the sanctuary had become a real issue.
On January 29, 2024, the History Taskforce felt that work needed on the façade had become urgent. Due to lack of grant money for this project, the repairs to the façade of the Landmark building were begun with personal funding from members of the History Taskforce and with ongoing continuous fundraising efforts. Action on this issue needed to begin as soon as possible. Rotting boards were falling off the building and keeping water out of the sanctuary had become a real issue.
Gulf Storms and Construction begins removing the rotten façade of the Landmark building on January 29, 2024
Work in progress by January 30, 2024
Southeast façade where some repairs have been completed, primed and painted. February 3, 2024
New challenges to façade repair are discovered – Cost to repair $14,000
As with most buildings that are 125 years old, more problems are usually found when work begins. Because of the time that had passed since the church could not match a state grant offer in 2004, the water damage to the building continued for 20 additional years. During that time the vertical timbers supporting the bell tower rotted and will have to be repaired. The History Taskforce is currently seeking funds to make those repairs. Support timbers at the base of the bell towers are original to the building and were placed there 125 years ago by the Greenwood plantation Freedman builders of this church. After all the years of water damage, they have well served their purpose. They will now have to be replaced to insure the stability of the bell tower. Ron Saikowski of Quest Engineering is the pro bono consultant on this repair. Work on this repair scheduled to begin Feb 12, 2024.
As with most buildings that are 125 years old, more problems are usually found when work begins. Because of the time that had passed since the church could not match a state grant offer in 2004, the water damage to the building continued for 20 additional years. During that time the vertical timbers supporting the bell tower rotted and will have to be repaired. The History Taskforce is currently seeking funds to make those repairs. Support timbers at the base of the bell towers are original to the building and were placed there 125 years ago by the Greenwood plantation Freedman builders of this church. After all the years of water damage, they have well served their purpose. They will now have to be replaced to insure the stability of the bell tower. Ron Saikowski of Quest Engineering is the pro bono consultant on this repair. Work on this repair scheduled to begin Feb 12, 2024.
Southwest corner support column of bell tower is water damaged and must be replaced
The last remaining project at Thomas Chapel
The 500-pound bell that sits atop the church’s bell tower was purchased by the new church for $60 in 1906 from the C. S. Bell Foundry in Hillsboro, Ohio. When it was purchased, it was the top of the line of bells that foundry made.
When the front wall of the church has been repaired, the medal cradle of the 1906 bell in the tower can be braced with sturdy timbers so that it will become once functional to announce church services as it has done for over a century.
The cost would be approximately $500.
The History Taskforce, a local 501c3 history working group, has undertaken to restore this historic Landmark building as funds become available or can be raised through grants and donations. Anyone who wants to help with this project can contact the History Taskforce at [email protected] for further information or call Ann Meador at 281-731-8626. More information can be found on the Friends of Thomas Chapel Facebook page and at www.historytaskforce.org.
