Thomas Kelly (hymn-writer) facts for kids

Thomas Kelly (born July 13, 1769 – died May 14, 1855) was an important Irish religious leader. He started as a minister in the Church of Ireland. Later, he became famous for writing many Christian songs, called hymns. He also founded his own religious group, known as the Kellyites.

Thomas Kelly's Life Story

Thomas Kelly was born in a place called Kellyville in County Laois on July 13, 1769. His father, also named Thomas Kelly, was a judge. Thomas went to Trinity College, Dublin, in 1785 and finished his studies in 1789. He also studied law in London.

While in Dublin, Thomas Kelly met John Walker (1769–1833). Walker's ideas about faith really influenced him. Thomas decided to stop studying law and became a minister in the Church of Ireland in 1792. His friend John Walker also became a minister.

In 1793, a famous preacher named Rowland Hill visited Dublin. Thomas Kelly started preaching about God's grace, which means God's kindness and forgiveness. He preached with others at St. Luke's Church, Dublin. However, the Archbishop of Dublin, Robert Fowler, stopped them from preaching there. He disagreed with their teachings.

After this, Thomas Kelly started preaching in other places in Dublin. These were not official church buildings. He preached in places like Plunket Street and the Bethesda Chapel. He also moved to Blackrock and built his own small church there.

Thomas Kelly and his friends worked hard to share their religious ideas across Ireland. In 1802, he started a new religious group called the Kellyites. This group had several churches. In 1803, Thomas Kelly left the Church of Ireland. He had been a minister for half a century.

Thomas Kelly passed away in Dublin on May 14, 1855. After he died, the number of people in his church slowly decreased.

Thomas Kelly: Hymn Writer

Thomas Kelly wrote a huge number of Christian songs, called hymns. He wrote 765 hymns over 51 years! One of his most famous hymns is Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious.

In 1802, he published a book called A Collection of Psalms and Hymns. It had 247 songs, and 33 of them were written by him. He published more hymn books later, including Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture in 1804. He was known for using different and interesting rhythms in his songs.

Thomas Kelly's Family

In 1795, Thomas Kelly married Elizabeth Tighe. She was the oldest daughter of William Tighe (1738–1782), who was a member of Parliament. Elizabeth brought a lot of money to their marriage.

Thomas and Elizabeth had two daughters. Their daughter Elizabeth married Reverend Edward Wingfield. Their other daughter, Frances, married Reverend Thomas Webber. Frances was the mother of a famous general named Charles Edmund Webber.