Who was William J. Seymour, and what was his role in the Azusa Street revival?

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Pentecostalism Prayer service at Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church, in Moore, Oklahoma.

William J. Seymour was an African American Holiness pastor and a former member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who played a pivotal role in the global expansion of Pentecostalism. Having been exposed to the teachings of Charles Fox Parham at a Bible school in Houston, Texas, Seymour moved to Los Angeles to lead the Apostolic Faith Gospel Mission at 312 Azusa Street.

Beginning in 1906, Seymour guided the Azusa Street revival, which transformed an old frame building into a significant spiritual center. Under his leadership, the mission became a landmark for the movement, attracting a diverse congregation of Black, white, and Latino worshipers, as well as many established preachers seeking spiritual renewal. Seymour’s inclusive approach fostered an environment where participants were encouraged to speak in tongues and experience what they believed to be the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This revival served as the primary catalyst for the national and international spread of Pentecostal beliefs and practices.1