Thomas M. Allen (October 21, 1797 – October 10, 1871) was a clergyman who played a prominent role in establishing the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

. He was born in Warren County, Virginia (then part of

Shenandoah County Shenandoah County (formerly Dunmore County) is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 44,186. Its county seat is Woodstock. It is part of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virgin ...

) in 1797. He studied law at

Transylvania University Transylvania University is a private university in Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1780 and was the first university in Kentucky. It offers 46 major programs, as well as dual-degree engineering programs, and is accredited by the Southern ...

, and married Rebecca Russell in 1819. He was subsequently ordained to the ministry in

Fayette County, Kentucky Fayette County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 322,570, making it the second-most populous county in the commonwealth. Its territory, population and government are coextens ...

, later moving to Boone County, Missouri, in 1836. He achieved recognition outside of the church as well, serving as the president of the board of curators of the

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou, MU, or Missouri) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Universit ...

in 1839, 1841, and 1864. Also instrumental in the founding of

Columbia College (Columbia, Missouri) Columbia College, also known as Columbia College of Missouri, is a private college based in Columbia, Missouri. Founded in 1851 as a nonsectarian college, it has retained a covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since its incep ...

in 1851 as Christian Women's College. It was renamed in 1970 when the college became co-educational. He died in 1871.

References

*''Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume 1607-1896.'' Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1967. 1797 births 1871 deaths 19th-century Christian clergy American Disciples of Christ Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) clergy Protestants from Missouri Transylvania University alumni People from Columbia, Missouri People from Lexington, Kentucky People from Warren County, Virginia University of Missouri curators Columbia College (Missouri) people 19th-century American clergy {{US-Christian-clergy-stub