James Samuel Thomas facts for kids

James Samuel Thomas (born April 8, 1919 – died October 10, 2010) was an important American leader in the United Methodist Church. He was a bishop, which is a high-ranking leader in the church. Bishop Thomas was known for his work in the church and for supporting civil rights in the United States.

Who Was Bishop James S. Thomas?

James Samuel Thomas was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on April 8, 1919. He grew up to become a significant figure in the church. In 1964, he was elected as a bishop in The Methodist Church. This church later became known as The United Methodist Church.

When he was elected, Bishop Thomas was one of the youngest Methodist bishops. This showed how much trust and respect he had earned.

Church Leadership and Service

Bishop Thomas's first assignment as a bishop was in Iowa. He served there from 1964 to 1976. During this time, he made history. He became the first black bishop of the North Central Jurisdiction of The Methodist Church. This was a very important step for the church.

After his time in Iowa, Bishop Thomas moved to Ohio. He served as the Resident Bishop of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. He held this position from 1976 until his retirement in 1988.

Bishop Thomas also wrote a book. It was called "Methodism's Racial Dilemma. The Story of the Central Jurisdiction." This book explored important issues within the church.

Honored for His Work

In 2002, the Iowa Senate decided to honor Bishop Thomas. They passed a special resolution to thank him. The resolution praised Bishop Thomas and his family. It recognized their service to The United Methodist Church.

The Senate also thanked him for his work in advancing civil rights. This means he helped make sure everyone had fair and equal rights. This work was important both in Iowa and across the nation. The resolution was given to Bishop Thomas on his birthday that same year.