Aimee Semple McPherson And The Making Of Modern Pentecostalism, 1890-1926

Book Summary

Pentecostalism was born at the turn of the twentieth century in a run down, semi-industrial area of Los Angeles composed of a tombstone shop, saloons, livery stables and railroad freight yards. One hundred years later Pentecostalism has not only proven to be the most dynamic representative of Christian faith in the past century, but a transnational religious phenomenon as well. In a global context Pentecostalism has attained a membership of 500 million growing at the rate of 20 million new members a year. Aimee Semple McPherson, born on a Canadian farm, was Pentecostalism's first celebrity, its "female Billy Sunday." Arriving in Southern California with her mother, two children and $100.00 in 1920, "Sister Aimee" as she was fondly known quickly achieved the height of her fame. In 1926, by age 35, "Sister Aimee" would pastor "America's largest 'class A' church," perhaps becoming the country's first megachurch pastor. In Los Angeles she quickly became a folk hero and civic institution. Hollywood discovered her when she brilliantly united the sacred with the profane. Anthony Quinn would play in the Temple band and Aimee would baptize Marilyn Monroe, council Jean Harlow and become friends with Charlie Chaplain, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Pentecostalism was born at the turn of the twentieth century in a rundown, semi-industrial area of Los Angeles composed of a tombstone shop, saloons, livery stables and railroad frieght yards. One hundred years later Pentecostalism has not only proven to be the most dynamic representative of Christian faith in the past century, but a transnational religious phenomenon as well. Aimee Semple McPherson was Pentecostalism's first celebrity. Arriving in Southern California with her mother, two children and $100 in 1920, she quickly achieved the height of her fame. In Los Angeles she became a folk hero and civic institution. Hollywood discovered her when she brilliantly united the sacred with the profane. Anthony Quinn would play in the Temple band and Aimee would baptize Marilyn Monroe, counsel Jean Harlow and become friends with Charlie Chaplain, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

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