Description:Waist-length of young man facing three-quarter left with his dark eyes turned to look directly at the viewer. He has dark hair, parted on his left, and long sideburns. In his right hand he holds a book, and he is wearing a white surplice with black stole and white neckpiece and appears to be smiling. There is a red drape over his left shoulder.
History:The portrait was donated to Christ Church by a Wheat descendant in 1983. Restored by Cumberland Art Conservation, Nashville, in 1998. William H. Baker, born in England, opened an artist's studio in Nashville during 1845. Baker's work was featured in Tennessee Historical Quarterly, Winter 1987.
Notes:John Thomas Wheat was born in Washington City on November 15, 1801. Ordained an Episcopal priest in 1826, he served eleven parishes over a 62 year period. The Rev. Wheat was the second rector of Old Christ Church, High & Church Street, Nashville, from 1837-1849. In 1874, he retired as rector from St. Lazarus' Church, Memphis, Tennessee. He died in Salisbury, North Carolina February 2 , 1888.
