The Azusa Street Revival, a pivotal moment in modern religious history, was a remarkable series of Christian revival meetings that unfolded in Los Angeles, California, in the early 20th century. Led by William J. Seymour, an influential African-American preacher, this spiritual awakening began on April 9, 1906, and profoundly impacted religious practices and beliefs worldwide for nearly a decade, continuing until approximately 1915.

The Genesis: Bonnie Brae Street

The roots of this extraordinary movement can be traced to a humble residence at 214 North Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles. It was here, in the home of Richard and Emma Asberry, that a small group gathered under the spiritual guidance of William J. Seymour, fervently seeking a deeper experience with God. Seymour, a one-eyed son of freed slaves, had been influenced by the Holiness movement and the teachings of Charles Parham regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues. On the evening of April 9, 1906, a breakthrough occurred. Seymour and seven men were deep in prayer and worship when, as described by eyewitnesses, a powerful spiritual manifestation took place. They were suddenly and dramatically "knocked from their chairs to the floor, as though hit by a bolt of lightning," and in that moment, the seven men began to speak in unknown tongues, a phenomenon known as glossolalia, and to praise God with fervent shouts. This electrifying event swiftly spread by word of mouth through the city, stirring immense curiosity and drawing crowds eager to witness or experience such divine power. Within a few days, Seymour himself, who had initially not experienced tongues, also received what believers understood as the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the accompanying sign of speaking in tongues.

The Azusa Street Mission: A Hub of Revival

As the revival gained momentum and the crowds grew too large for the small house on Bonnie Brae Street, an urgent need arose for a more spacious venue. The gatherings were initially moved outdoors to accommodate the burgeoning numbers. To provide a permanent home for the rapidly expanding services, an old, dilapidated, two-story frame building was secured at 312 Azusa Street, located in what was then an industrial section of the city. This unassuming structure had a varied past; originally constructed as an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, it had subsequently served as a livery stable, a storage building, and even a tenement house. Despite its humble, almost derelict condition, this mission became the epicenter of an unprecedented three-year revival, attracting people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe. It was within these walls that an ongoing, continuous outpouring of spiritual fervor captivated thousands, making the "Azusa Street Mission" a name recognized worldwide. Services ran daily, sometimes almost continuously, day and night, for years.

Characteristics and Criticisms of the Revival

The Azusa Street Revival was characterized by intensely emotional and experiential worship services, a stark departure from the more formal practices of many established churches of the era. Participants frequently described profound spiritual experiences, often accompanied by fervent testimonies of physical healing miracles, where ailments seemingly vanished. A hallmark of the revival was the widespread practice of speaking in tongues, believed by attendees to be the biblical gift of glossolalia – a supernatural utterance in an unlearned language – serving as evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Beyond these spiritual manifestations, the revival also fostered an environment of radical racial and gender equality, a truly pioneering stance for early 20th-century America. Black and white, men and women, worshiped and preached side by side without segregation, a powerful, albeit often overlooked, aspect of the movement's early years. This unconventional approach, however, drew significant criticism from various quarters. Both secular media and many Christian theologians of the time viewed the behaviors as outrageous, undignified, and unorthodox. They were particularly scandalized by the emotional displays, the mixed-race congregations, and the belief in miraculous spiritual gifts, leading to accusations of fanaticism and disorder. Stanley H. Frodsham, in his book, With Signs Following, captured eyewitness descriptions of a scene filled with "shouts, groans, singing, speaking in tongues, visions, healing, and people falling under the power of God."

Those who participated in the Azusa Street Revival often articulated their core experience with the phrase, "I am saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost." This succinctly encapsulated the "three works of grace" central to Holiness Pentecostalism, the foundational branch from which the broader Pentecostal movement emerged:

• Salvation: The initial experience of conversion and forgiveness of sins, leading to spiritual rebirth.
• Sanctification: A subsequent work of grace, understood as a purification from sin and a dedication to God, leading to a holy life.
• Baptism in the Holy Ghost: The third work of grace, understood as an empowerment for Christian service and witnessing, typically characterized by the spiritual gifts, most notably speaking in tongues.

Lasting Legacy and Global Impact

Today, the Azusa Street Revival is universally acknowledged by historians and theologians as the primary catalyst for the dramatic global spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century. Its influence extended far beyond Los Angeles, inspiring missionaries and evangelists who carried its message and practices to every continent. The revival demonstrated a fervent belief in the immediacy of God's power and the availability of spiritual gifts to all believers, sparking a global movement that continues to grow exponentially. What began in a small, unassuming building in an industrial corner of Los Angeles transformed into a worldwide religious phenomenon, profoundly shaping the landscape of modern Christianity and birthing countless denominations and independent churches that emphasize spiritual experience, divine healing, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Its radical inclusivity also laid groundwork for future conversations about race and gender within religious contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Azusa Street Revival

What was the Azusa Street Revival?

The Azusa Street Revival was a historic series of Christian revival meetings held in Los Angeles, California, from 1906 to approximately 1915, widely considered the birthplace of modern Pentecostalism.

Who led the Azusa Street Revival?

It was primarily led by William J. Seymour, an influential African-American preacher whose spiritual experiences and teachings ignited the revival.

When and where did the Azusa Street Revival take place?

The revival began on April 9, 1906, first at a home on Bonnie Brae Street, then famously moved to a mission at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California.

What characterized the services at Azusa Street?

Services were known for their highly experiential nature, featuring spontaneous worship, speaking in tongues (glossolalia), fervent testimonies of physical healing, and an atmosphere of intense spiritual activity. They also notably fostered racial and gender integration, which was groundbreaking for the era.

What was the significance of the Azusa Street Revival?

It is considered the primary catalyst for the global spread of Pentecostalism, a major branch of Protestant Christianity characterized by an emphasis on direct personal experience of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, throughout the 20th century and beyond.

How long did the Azusa Street Revival last?

While its most intense and continuous phase at the Azusa Street Mission was approximately three years (1906-1909), the meetings and their profound influence continued until roughly 1915.

Why was the Azusa Street Revival controversial?

It faced criticism from secular media and traditional Christian denominations for its emotional worship, spontaneous spiritual manifestations (like speaking in tongues), its integrated congregations of different races and genders, and what was perceived as a lack of decorum or orthodoxy.

What is "speaking in tongues" in the context of the revival?

In the context of the Azusa Street Revival and Pentecostalism, speaking in tongues (glossolalia) is believed to be a supernatural ability to speak in an unlearned language, given by the Holy Spirit, often seen as the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

What were the "three works of grace" mentioned by attendees?

Attendees often testified to being "saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost." These refer to: 1) Salvation (conversion and forgiveness of sins), 2) Sanctification (a subsequent work of grace leading to purification and dedication), and 3) The Baptism in the Holy Ghost (spiritual empowerment for service, typically evidenced by speaking in tongues).