Mcpherson, Aimee Semple (1890–1944)

Aimee Semple McPherson, or “Sister” Aimee, as she was known, was arguably the most famous Pentecostal evangelist of the early 20th century. She was born in Canada in October 1890 to Robert and Minnie Kennedy. Her father was a Methodist farmer and her mother belonged to the Salvation Army. Her mother decided Aimee would be brought up with the Salvation Army beliefs, which meant that she was not baptized, because they did not believe that this sacrament is necessary for salvation. Aimee was brought up in a strong evangelical and charitable environment. She and her mother constantly went to prayer meetings, holiness meetings, street meetings, and Band of Love gatherings. This early religious training and the fact that the Salvation Army believed that men and ...