Abstract

Aimee Semple McPherson has been described as the most successful evangelist of the 1920's and 1930's. In spite of this, serious scholarship about her is notably absent from historical records. What little that has been written about McPherson has, for the most part, been derogatory, and feminist writers have all but ignored her. Why has McPherson, who has been described as "perhaps the most charismatic and controversial woman in modern religious history"$\sp1$ been largely ignored by religionists? How significant a role did gender play not only in her success but in the vituperous attacks on her character which arose as a result of this success? Was there a conflict between the socio-religious culture and the personality of McPherson? The thesis will examine the historical background of sectarian Christianity which formed the back-drop of McPherson's life and ministry, from a feminist perspective. It will detail McPherson's life and her rise to prominence. Her Foursquare Gospel church and its theology, together with its practices and rituals will also be examined. Attention is drawn to the divine healing aspect of this church, an aspect which was responsible for so much of its success. The thesis will try to identify who McPherson's followers were, and what part the location of the Angelus Temple, situated in Los Angeles, played, if any, in contributing to her fame. Finally, the thesis will address the subject of the character of McPherson, her motivation and social agenda and ultimately, it is hoped, shed some light on why Aimee Semple McPherson became "the forgotten evangelist."