Aimee Semple McPherson and the Making of Modern Pentecostalism, 1890-1926

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.

Chas. H. Barfoot received his theological education at Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He teaches at Arizona State University.