| The Road to Azusa |
This worldwide revival began right here in our city on April 9, 1906. in a small private home
at 216 North Bonnie Brae in a tarrymeeting. Brother Lee was the first to receive the
baptism of the Holy Ghost followed shortly by several others including the revival leader,
William Joseph Seymour.
at 216 North Bonnie Brae in a tarrymeeting. Brother Lee was the first to receive the
baptism of the Holy Ghost followed shortly by several others including the revival leader,
William Joseph Seymour.
The revival started with Julia Hutchinson, a member of a Baptist church. She began teaching holiness and sanctification as
separate works of grace in addition to a born again experience. Other members of that congregation began to accept her teaching.
Consequently, the Second Baptist Church, L.A. pastor expelled all of them.
Julia Hutchinson opened a mission on Santa Fe Street and continued to teach her belief. She felt that they needed a male to assist
her. Neely Terry told her about a minister in Houston, Texas by the name of William Joseph Seymour. He was invited, but when he
began to preach the Full Gospel, Julia Hutchinson pad locked the doors.
separate works of grace in addition to a born again experience. Other members of that congregation began to accept her teaching.
Consequently, the Second Baptist Church, L.A. pastor expelled all of them.
Julia Hutchinson opened a mission on Santa Fe Street and continued to teach her belief. She felt that they needed a male to assist
her. Neely Terry told her about a minister in Houston, Texas by the name of William Joseph Seymour. He was invited, but when he
began to preach the Full Gospel, Julia Hutchinson pad locked the doors.
Raymond Asberry and his wife invited Seymour and the others (who believed in his teaching) to
have service in their home at 216 North Bonnie Brae Street. They began to fast, pray and read
scriptures in the bible that focused directly on the Holy Ghost. It was on the evening of April
9,1906 when they began to consecrate themselves in the word and prayer, that the power of the
Holy Ghost came in and they received the baptism just as on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4
have service in their home at 216 North Bonnie Brae Street. They began to fast, pray and read
scriptures in the bible that focused directly on the Holy Ghost. It was on the evening of April
9,1906 when they began to consecrate themselves in the word and prayer, that the power of the
Holy Ghost came in and they received the baptism just as on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4
As the news began to spread around the city, the little house could no longer
accommodate the crowd. Brother Seymour, directed by God, located and
purchased a building on Azusa Street which was being used for storage. It was
owned by the A.M.E. church. Incidentally, the A.M.E church was the first black
Christian church in Los Angeles. They had once used the building to house their
worship service. Today the church "FAME" pastored by Cecil "Chip" Murray, is
one of the most influential Black churches in Los Angeles.
accommodate the crowd. Brother Seymour, directed by God, located and
purchased a building on Azusa Street which was being used for storage. It was
owned by the A.M.E. church. Incidentally, the A.M.E church was the first black
Christian church in Los Angeles. They had once used the building to house their
worship service. Today the church "FAME" pastored by Cecil "Chip" Murray, is
one of the most influential Black churches in Los Angeles.
Doug Nelson stated in one of his writings that it was the -greatest revival since the day of Pentecost. He wrote, "....the
movement began quietly in a small black prayer group yearning for the restoration of Christian life together as experienced
by the Apostolic Church at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. "Glossalalia appeared and virtually every race, nationality
and class on earth was immediately attracted to the revival.
Racial prejudice miraculously disappeared with profound social implications. Growth exploded exponentially and by 1909 it
took root in over 50 nations. By 1914, it was represented in every American city and around the world from Iceland to
Tasmania. The event was published in thirty different languages.
movement began quietly in a small black prayer group yearning for the restoration of Christian life together as experienced
by the Apostolic Church at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. "Glossalalia appeared and virtually every race, nationality
and class on earth was immediately attracted to the revival.
Racial prejudice miraculously disappeared with profound social implications. Growth exploded exponentially and by 1909 it
took root in over 50 nations. By 1914, it was represented in every American city and around the world from Iceland to
Tasmania. The event was published in thirty different languages.
After they had received the gift of the Holy Ghost, they went far and wide sharing the glad
tidings. Brother and Sister Gar went to China, Brother Post went to India others went to
Australia, Asia, Africa. Sweden, Scotland and Norway, as well as other countries all over
the world.
tidings. Brother and Sister Gar went to China, Brother Post went to India others went to
Australia, Asia, Africa. Sweden, Scotland and Norway, as well as other countries all over
the world.
Bishop Mason and D.J. Young called a another meeting a few days later in Memphis,
Tennessee. All the ministers of the connecting states, Mississippi and Arkansas, that
believed in the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Ghost met with them.
Tennessee. All the ministers of the connecting states, Mississippi and Arkansas, that
believed in the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Ghost met with them.
Bishop C.H. Mason
A General Assembly meeting was called in Jackson. Mississippi, in August 1907, where the subject of the baptism
of the Holy Ghost as a New Testament doctrine and experience was discussed. Many people rejected the
doctrine. Among them were C.P. Jones, who with others withdrew themselves from the Church of God in Christ.
of the Holy Ghost as a New Testament doctrine and experience was discussed. Many people rejected the
doctrine. Among them were C.P. Jones, who with others withdrew themselves from the Church of God in Christ.
At this meeting Charles H. Mason was clearly acknowledged as General Overseer and Chief
Apostle for the church. Among those Brothers that stood with Mason were J. Bowe, R.R.
Booker, W.M. Roberts, R.E. Hart, D.J. Young. James Brewer, Daniel Spearman, J.H. Boone
and E.R. Driver.
Apostle for the church. Among those Brothers that stood with Mason were J. Bowe, R.R.
Booker, W.M. Roberts, R.E. Hart, D.J. Young. James Brewer, Daniel Spearman, J.H. Boone
and E.R. Driver.
The growth of the church was phenomenal, embracing all nations. By 1914, Eddie R. Driver was sent to
Los Angeles by Mason to organize the Church of God in Christ. Souls were saved, sanctified and baptized
as it happened at the 1906 Azusa Street revival. This is where our local history begins...
Los Angeles by Mason to organize the Church of God in Christ. Souls were saved, sanctified and baptized
as it happened at the 1906 Azusa Street revival. This is where our local history begins...
Bishop Eddie R. Driver
People came seeking the Holy Ghost from all parts of the world. Among them were Charles H. Mason, D-J.
Young, Jeter and Pleasant.
Young, Jeter and Pleasant.
Bishop Mason, the founder of the Church of God in Christ, returned to his home in
the South. Hundreds of people flocked to the meetings to bear the news and to get
an understanding of this miraculous work of grace.
the South. Hundreds of people flocked to the meetings to bear the news and to get
an understanding of this miraculous work of grace.
