10 Photos And History Of The First Megachurch In The U.S.

Kneeling by her sick daughter's bed in the early 1920s, Aimee Semple McPherson received a vision from above, urging her to create "a little home in Los Angeles." Or so the story goes.

By Daniel Bonfiglio

Published 4 days ago in Wow

Kneeling by her sick daughter's bed in the early 1920s, Aimee Semple McPherson received a vision from above, urging her to create "a little home in Los Angeles." Or so the story goes.

Her next step involved raising $250,000 from wealthy donors and contracting renowned architect Brook Hawkins to build a 5,300-person arena. By 1923, the Angelus Temple was born.

A talented preacher, McPherson spoke to her congregation herself until she grew older, eventually handing the responsibility to Matthew Barnett in 2001.

America's first megachurch still draws thousands of attendees every week.

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Echo Park, California, 1922. Over its first seven years, over 40 million people attended the church.

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In front of a dedication plaque installed in a column at the newly opened Angelus Temple in 1923.

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The Temple underwent its first major renovation in 1972.
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During 14-hour Holy Ghost service led by Aimee Semple McPherson. 1942.

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In 1924, the church constructed twin towers to broadcast sermons by radio.
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Barnett combined the Dream Center with Angelus Temple to be a center for charitable services.
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The Temple's most recent major renovation came in 2002.

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The church drew 8,975 visitors on average every week in 2015.
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Cutting into Angelus Temple cake, 1927. She preached up to three times a day, every day
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The Temple was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992.