# Bishop Wesley R. Toomis — Elmer Gantry character guide

> Bishop Wesley R. Toomis in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Bishop Toomis, Toomis

**First appearance:** 0178-chapter-xxviii

## Who they are

A high-ranking bishop in the Methodist church.

## Relationships

### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry)

_professional_

Bishop Toomis is Elmer's superior in the Methodist church, who tolerates Elmer's scandals for the sake of church growth.

### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry)

_professional_

Bishop Toomis is Elmer's superior in the Methodist church, who tolerates Elmer's scandals for the sake of church growth.

### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry)

_professional_

Bishop Toomis is Elmer's superior in the Methodist church, who tolerates Elmer's scandals for the sake of church growth.

## In the story

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xviii)

Methodist bishop of the Zenith area; invites Elmer to dinner and considers bringing him into the Methodist fold.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i)

Methodist bishop who praises Elmer's talk, invites him to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon and to supper, and is receptive to Elmer's interest in joining the Methodist ministry.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii)

Bishop of the Methodist area of Zenith; lives in a chubby modern house in Devon Woods with a collection of travel souvenirs and books.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii)

Hosts Elmer, shows photographs from his travels, discusses Elmer's title and marital status, and appreciates Elmer's joke.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv)

Bishop Toomis hosts Elmer, discusses his own literary ambitions, and actively recruits Elmer into the Methodist Church, offering him a church at Banjo Crossing.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v)

Bishop Toomis negotiates with Elmer, expressing disappointment that Elmer prioritizes flock size over opportunities for good, but ultimately guides him to Banjo Crossing.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xx)

Suggests Elmer read philosophy, specifically Josiah Royce.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i)

Bishop Toomis is quoted as wittily calling Elmer's library 'God's artillery in black and white.'

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned as Elmer's old and true friend who advised him to take a year in a smaller parish to rest.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/xi)

Recommended Royce's philosophy to Elmer.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxi)

Favors Elmer, promises a larger church, calls him by first name.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi)

Bishop Toomis sends Elmer a note hinting at a promotion to a larger church at the Annual Conference, based on favorable reports from the district superintendent.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ix)

Presides over the Conference, keeps himself hidden from most ministers but sends for Elmer, promising him a larger church and future advancement.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/xi)

The bishop reads the list of appointments in a snappy voice, assigning Elmer to Rudd Center.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxii)

Sends for Elmer after the Sparta campaign and offers him the pastorate of Wellspring Church in Zenith.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii)

Bishop Toomis sends for Elmer after the election, indicating church interest in his activities.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv)

Bishop Toomis offers Elmer the Wellspring Church, praising his success in Sparta and hinting at future rewards.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vii)

Elmer confers with Bishop Toomis early on about which Zenith clergymen to cultivate.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as the former employer of Sidney Webster.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxviii)

Dismissed by Frank as a 'gasbag' in his critique of prominent Methodist figures.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i)

Dismissed by Frank as a 'gasbag' and lumped with other ineffective clergymen.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi)

Writes to Wesleyan colleagues to help Elmer secure a London preaching invitation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/bishop_wesley_r_toomis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters