The company he founded is now called Welch's, which produces grape juices, jams and jellies.

[1] At age 17, Thomas Welch joined the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion,[2] founded the same year (1843).

[3] With the first edition of their Discipline, the Wesleyan Methodists expressly required for the Lord's Supper (Communion) that "unfermented wine only should be used at the sacrament.

[5] Throughout his late teens, Welch was active in the Underground Railroad that transported escaped slaves from the south into Canada.

[7] Welch continued in the work of ministry until his voice failed him, and he was obliged to direct his attention to other pursuits.

[8] In 1864, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church expressly recommended that "in all cases the pure juice of the grape be used in the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

[10] Then in 1869, Welch invented a method of pasteurizing grape juice so that fermentation was stopped, and the drink was non-alcoholic.

"[7] Welch was a staunch Prohibitionist, who actively worked to reduce or end the sale of alcoholic beverages in New Jersey and adjacent regions.