William Seymour, 1870–1922

William Seymour, 1870–1922

Catalyst of the Pentecostal Movement

William Joseph Seymour was the second of eight children born to former slaves Simon and Phyllis Seymour in Centerville, Louisiana, on May 2, 1870.

After moving from Louisiana, William Seymour joined the "reformation" Church of God where he became steeped in Holiness theology, which taught second blessing, entire sanctification, divine healing, premillennialism, and the promise of a worldwide Holy Spirit revival before the rapture.

In 1906, Seymour moved to Los Angeles, California, where he preached the Pentecostal message and sparked the Azusa Street Revival. The revival drew large crowds of believers as well as media coverage that focused on the controversial practices as well as the racially integrated worship services, which violated the racial norms of the time. This movement went on impact 631 million people around the world.

William Seymour has been described as being the "greatest direct influence on American religious history" and he was undoubtably a huge influence on the contemporary church of today.

William Seymour passed away in Los Angeles in 1922, his last words being: “I love my Jesus so.”

“I can say, through the power of the Spirit, that wherever God can get a people that will come together in one accord and one mind in the Word of God, the baptism of the Holy Ghost will fall upon them, like as at Cornelius’ house.” – William Seymour