Alma Bridwell White
Bishop Alma Bridwell White (June 16, 1862 - June 26, 1946) founded the Pillar of Fire Church.
Birth and siblings
She was born as Mollie Alma Bridwell on June 16, 1862 in Kinniconick, Lewis County, Kentucky to William Moncure Bridwell (1825-1907) of Virginia; and Mary Ann Harrison (1832-1921) of Kentucky. William and Mary married on March 19, 1851. Alma's siblings include: Martha Gertrude Bridwell (1853-?); James Robert Bridwell (1853-?); Emery Bascom Bridwell (1856-?); Amanda Frances Bridwell (1857-?); Ann Eliza Bridwell (1859-?); Venora Ella Bridwell (1861-?); Teresa West Bridwell (1865-?); Kate L. Bridwell (1867-?); and Rawley T. Bridwell (1868-?). By 1880 the family was living in Millersburg, Kentucky.
Education and marriage
Alma studied at the Millersburg Female College in Millersburg, Kentucky and in 1882 moved to Bannack, Montana, where she taught at the local primary school. In 1887 she married Kent White (1860-1940), who at the time was a Methodist seminarian. They had the following children: Ray Bridwell White (c1888-1946) who died a few months after his mother died; and Arthur K. White.
Religion
In Colorado, she led hymns and prayers and at times preached sermons. In 1918, she was consecrated as a bishop by William Godbey. She was now the first woman bishop in the United States. In 1907 a follower donated their farm for a community at Zarephath, New Jersey.
Klan
Jon Blackwell writes: "[In 1924] the small towns around Trenton were more hospitable places for Klan activity. The police chief of Hightstown, Carlton Conover, was a member. So was Bishop Alma White, of the Pillar of Fire Church in Bound Brook."
Radio
In 1927, a transmitter and radio equipment were installed at Belleview College in Westminster, Colorado to promote the college based in the Westminster Castle. By June of 1929, the call letters had been changed to KPOF and the station was broadcasting regular sermons from Alma Temple, the Pillar's Denver Church.
In March of 1931, WBNY was sold to Bishop Alma White and the Pillar Of Fire church for $5,000. The call letters were changed to WAWZ. In its initial broadcast, Alma White told listeners, "The station belongs to all regardless of your affiliation."
Death
She died on June 26, 1946 in Zarephath, New Jersey.
Timeline
- 1862 Birth of Alma White as "Mollie Alma Bridwell" in Kinniconick, Kentucky on June 16th
- 1870 1870 US Census in Elkfork, Lewis County, Kentucky
- 1880 1880 US Census in Millersburg, Kentucky
- 1887 Marriage to Kent White
- 1896 Church established in Denver, Colorado
- 1901 Methodist Pentecostal Union Church in Denver, Colorado in December
- 1902 Ordained an Elder
- 1904 "Pentecostal Union Herald" changed to "Pillar of Fire"
- 1905 (circa) Separates from Methodist Episcopal Church
- 1907 Creation of community at Zarephath, New Jersey
- 1909 Separates from husband after he converts to Pentecostalism
- 1917 Name of church officially changed to "Pillar of Fire"
- 1918 Ordained as first woman bishop in the United States
- 1920 Acquires Westminster, Colorado property and opens Westminster University
- 1920 1920 US Census in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
- 1921 Alma White College founded in Zarephath, New Jersey
- 1924 Publishes Woman's Chains, which is in print until 1970
- 1927 KPOF radio station in Westminster, Colorado
- 1931 WAWZ radio station in Zarephath, New Jersey
- 1932 Church established in Morrison, Colorado
- 1946 Death of Alma White on June 27th
- 1946 Death of Ray Bridwell White on November 5th
Publications
- Demons and Tongues (1910)
- The New Testament Church (1911–1912) in two volumes
- The Titanic Tragedy: God Speaking to Nations (1913)
- Restoration of Israel, the Hope of the World (1917)
- The Story of My Life (1919–1930) in five volumes
- The Ku Klux Klan in Prophecy (1925) pro Klan publication
- Hymns and Poems (1931)
- The Sword of the Spirit (1937)
References
- Susie Cunningham Stanley; Feminist Pillar of Fire: The Life of Alma White; Cleveland, Ohio; The Pilgrim Press, (1993) ISBN 0829809503
- Alma White's Evangelism Press Reports, compiled by C. R. Paige and C.K. Ingler (1939)
- White, Alma Bridwell. (2005). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved November 12, 2005, from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium
- Kristin E. Kandt; Historical Essay: In the Name of God; An American Story of Feminism, Racism, and Religious Intolerance: The Story of Alma Bridwell White, 8 Am. U. J. Gender, Soc. Pol. & L 753 (2000)
Selected coverage in the New York Times
- New York Times; June 27, 1946; page 21. "Bound Brook, New Jersey; June 26, 1937 (AP) Bishop Alma White, founder of the Pillar of Fire Church and author of thirty-five religious tracts and some 200 hymns, died here today at the headquarters of the religious group at near-by Zarephath. Her age was 84."
- New York Times; November 6, 1946; "Ray Bridwell White; Pillar of Fire Church Leader, Son of Late Bishop, Dies."