Aimee Semple McPherson

Aimee Semple McPherson was a Canadian-born Pentecostal evangelist who became one of the most famous religious figures in early twentieth-century America. She preached widely, emphasized salvation, healing, Spirit-filled life, and the return of Christ, and used public events and media with unusual skill for her time.

She founded the Foursquare Church in Los Angeles, organizing her preaching around the fourfold gospel: Jesus Christ as Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Coming King.

McPherson matters because she shows how Pentecostalism moved from small revival meetings into mass evangelism, media, urban ministry, and organized denominational life.

Her ministry also demonstrates the unusually visible role some women held in early Pentecostal leadership, preaching, and church founding.