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Aimee Semple McPherson

Aimee Elizabeth Semple McPherson (née Kennedy; October 9, 1890 – September 27, 1944), also known as Sister Aimee or Sister, was a Canadian Pentecostal evangelist and media celebrity in the 1920s and 1930s, famous for founding the Foursquare Church. McPherson pioneered the use of broadcast mass media for wider dissemination of both religious services and appeals for donations, using radio to draw in both additional audience and revenue with the growing appeal of popular entertainment and incorporating stage techniques into her weekly sermons at Angelus Temple, an early megachurch.

In her time, she was the most publicized Protestant evangelist, surpassing Billy Sunday and other predecessors. She conducted public faith healing demonstrations involving tens of thousands of participants. McPherson's view of the United States as a nation founded and sustained by divine inspiration influenced later pastors.

National news coverage focused on events surrounding her family and church members, including accusations that she fabricated her reported kidnapping. McPherson's preaching style, extensive charity work and ecumenical contributions were a major influence on 20th century Charismatic Christianity.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 9, 1890 (South-West Oxford), Died September 27, 1944 (Oakland)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1931

Roles Represented in DAHR: speaker, vocalist, composer, lyricist, piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-24733 12-in. 12/15/1920 The coming of the Lord Aimee Semple McPherson Recitation, with male vocal quartet and piano speaker  
Columbia W142791 10-in. 10/18/1926 I ain't-a gonna grieve Aimee Semple McPherson Female vocal solo, with vocal chorus vocalist  
Columbia W142792 10-in. 10/18/1926 Come unto me Aimee Semple McPherson Sermon speaker  
Columbia W151860 10-in. 10/22/1931 The lost sheep's return Aimee Semple McPherson Sermon, with male vocal solo and organ speaker  
Columbia W151861 10-in. 10/22/1931 The crucifixion Aimee Semple McPherson Sermon, with organ speaker  
Columbia W151862 10-in. 10/22/1931 Calvary's rose David L. Hutton ; Aimee Semple McPherson Female-male vocal duet, with organ and chimes composer, lyricist, vocalist  
Columbia W151863 10-in. 10/22/1931 Aimee McPherson Hutton and David Hutton David L. Hutton ; Aimee Semple McPherson Female-male vocal duet, with piano instrumentalist, piano, vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "McPherson, Aimee Semple," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101893.

McPherson, Aimee Semple. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101893.

"McPherson, Aimee Semple." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/101893

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