This week in Christian history: Christian army relieves Vienna, pioneering Pentecostal preacher dies

Maria Woodworth-Etter dies – Sept. 16, 1924

This week marks the anniversary of when Maria Woodworth-Etter, a preacher with the nascent Pentecostal movement, died at age 80 following lengthy battles with multiple illnesses.

Considered by some to be the “Mother of the Pentecostal movement,” Woodworth-Etter claimed to have had visions calling her to preach and would hold revival gatherings under a large meeting tent.

“Despite her personal struggles with ‘women in ministry’ and the prevalent hostile attitudes to female preachers, she felt compelled by God to accept the invitation to preach in the United Brethren in Christ (Friends) in 1876 and later associated with the Methodist Holiness church,” explained The Revival Library.

“Initially she had grave concerns about the burgeoning Pentecostal movement, mainly because of some unbalanced teaching and reported extremism. Soon she came to believe it was an authentic move of the Holy Spirit and was enthusiastically welcomed within its ranks. She became both a model and a mentor for the fledgling movement.”