Thoburn United Methodist Church
is dedicated to the memory of
brother and sister
James and Isabella Thoburn
whose rich legacy is deeply rooted
in Belmont County.
While it is not unusual for
such distinctions to be made
by churches and congregations,
the Thoburn’s contributions
were extraordinary.
James and his sister were born in
1836 and 1840 respectively
on a farm east of St. Clairsville.
These two remarkable people
had equally remarkable parents
who instilled in them a strong character,
dedication to and responsibility for
their fellow man.
From her mother, Isabella learned
what she would later call
“the law of service”
which, simply stated, was
"we are all on earth to serve,
not to be served."
Isabella walked that path all her life.
James Thoburn was a man of
incredible abilities
and strong contrasts.
An evangelist, his entire life
was dedicated to preaching
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After graduating from college,
he left for India in 1859
where he would serve nearly
50 years as missionary and bishop
of India and Malaysia,
the first chosen for that
sub-continent, in 1888.
A man of great vision,
James had the rare gift of
inspiring others to follow
his leadership.
It was James who first opened
the possibility of Isabella
coming to India.
He envisioned a promising future
for India which included
educating women and girls,
but finances did not exist
for a school in every village
where there were Christians.
Without much thought,
he one day penned a letter
to Isabella, asking if she would
like to teach in India.
Drawn by the “law of service”
from her youth,
Isabella accepted without hesitation.
She was the first
Methodist woman missionary
to be sent on her own
to the mission field,
sponsored by the
Women’s Foreign
Missionary Society
which would later become
The United Methodist Women.
Isabella’s work grew rapidly
from a one room school in 1870
to the stately and respected
Isabella Thoburn College
20 years later
It carries on her work
to this day.
Thoburn United Methodist Church
stands in tribute to
James and Isabella Thoburn;
its congregation linked inseparably
with the early history of Methodism
in the mission field.
Isabella Thoburn College
“The purpose of Isabella Thoburn College is to provide higher education, primarily to Christian women, which will include the imparting of sound learning, the building of character and the knowledge of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, to present to these young women the message of Jesus Christ through regular Bible study, Christian testimony and example, witness and worship in accordance with Christian belief and doctrines and to extend the facilities and opportunities to young women
of other faiths and communities who voluntarily wish to receive education in Christian environment”
To contribute to the future of
Isabella Thoburn College
Master’s and Post-Graduate Programs