Aimee Semple McPherson

Aimee Semple McPherson (October 9, 1890 – September 27, 1944), also known as "Sister Aimee" or simply "Sister," was an evangelist and media sensation in the 1920s and 1930s, founder of the Foursquare Church.

Later career

McPherson continued preaching but fell out of favor with the press; she and her ministry still received a good deal of publicity, but most of it was bad. Additionally, she became involved in power struggles for the church with her mother and daughter. McPherson suffered a nervous breakdown in 1930.

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On September 13, 1931, McPherson married again, this time to an actor and musician, David Hutton. The marriage got off to a rocky start: two days after the wedding, Hutton was sued for alienation of affection by another woman, who he claimed to have never met. He eventually settled the case by paying $5,000. While McPherson was away in Europe, she was incensed to discover Hutton was billing himself as "Aimee's man" in his cabaret singing act.

Related Topics:
Alienation of affection - Cabaret

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The marriage also caused an uproar within the church. The tenets of Foursquare Gospel, which were set up by McPherson herself, stated that no one should remarry while their previous spouse was still alive (which Harold McPherson was at the time). McPherson and Hutton separated in 1933, and divorced on March 1, 1934.

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During the Great Depression, McPherson was active in creating soup kitchens, free clinics and other charitable activities; with the outbreak of World War II, she became involved in war bond rallies.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - Soup kitchen - World War II - War bond

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On September 27, 1944 she was found dead of an overdose of barbiturates. Once again, rumors flew, this time conjecturing suicide; it is generally agreed though that the overdose was accidental, as is stated on the coroner's report.

Related Topics:
Barbiturates - Suicide

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McPherson is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. According to The Preachers by James Morris, she was buried with a live telephone in her casket to ensure her survival in the event of bodily resurrection, although other biographers do not mention this and groundskeepers at Forest Lawn deny it. The Foursquare Gospel church, whose leadership was assumed by McPherson's son Rolf for 44 years after her death, continues worldwide with over two million members, over 90% of whom are outside the United States.

Related Topics:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery - Glendale, California

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