William Seymour and Azusa Street Revival - Timeline Event
Founder
William Seymour
Time Period
04-09-1906 - 01-01-1915
Description
The Azusa Street Revival functioned as an important catalyst to the growth of American Pentecostalism. In January of 1906, an African-American minister named William J. Seymour moved to Los Angeles and began holding cottage meetings with a small number of followers. After the first outbreak of glossolalia (i.e. "speaking in tongues") in April 1906, the group began to grow and become racially integrated. Seymour moved his congregants to a dilapidated building on 312 Azusa Street, located in downtown Los Angeles.
Over the next few years, thousands of individuals traveled to Azusa Street to experience miraculous healings, glossalia, and spontaneous worship. Religious services were held three times a day, and the attenders were racially diverse (at least initially). Over time, the revival started to dissipate. Seymour lost his influence and died in 1922. Although the building was condemned and destroyed in 1931, the revival remains a defining event for early Pentecostalism.
Over the next few years, thousands of individuals traveled to Azusa Street to experience miraculous healings, glossalia, and spontaneous worship. Religious services were held three times a day, and the attenders were racially diverse (at least initially). Over time, the revival started to dissipate. Seymour lost his influence and died in 1922. Although the building was condemned and destroyed in 1931, the revival remains a defining event for early Pentecostalism.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: Pentecostal FamilyPentecostal Family: Other ARDA Links
Pentecostal Family: Religious Family Tree
Movements
Millenarian MovementPentecostal/Charismatic Movement
Photographs
Apostolic Faith Mission on Azusa Street- Wikimedia Commons
William Seymour and his wife, Jennie- Wikimedia Commons
The Apostolic Faith newspaper- www.azusastreet.org
Azusa Street Mission leaders- Wikimedia Commons
Book/Journal Source(s)
Reid, Daniel, Robert Linder, Bruce Shelley, and Harry Stout, 1990. Dictionary of Christianity in America Downers Grove, IL.Queen, Edward, Stephen Prothero and Gardiner Shattuck, 1996. The Encyclopedia of American Religious History New York: Facts on File.
Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
