Elder Lucy Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lucy Turner Smith |
|
|---|---|
| Church | All Nations Pentecostal Church |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Lucinda Madden |
| Born | January 14, 1874 Woodstock, Georgia |
| Died | June 18, 1952 (aged 78) Chicago, IL, USA |
| Buried | Lincoln Cemetery, Cook County, IL |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Holiness/Pentecostal |
| Residence | Chicago, IL |
| Occupation | pastor, faith healer |
Elder Lucy Smith (1874 – 1952), also known as Lucy Turner Smith, was an important African-American pastor. She was a leader in the Pentecostal church. She started the All Nations Pentecostal Church in Chicago, Illinois.
Lucy Smith was known for her special ministry of prayer and healing. Many people came to her church because of this. Her church grew very large, with 3,000 members. She was also the first woman to start and lead a church in Chicago. When she passed away in 1952, about 60,000 people attended her funeral. This was the biggest funeral ever held in Chicago at that time.
Who Was Lucy Smith?
Lucinda Madden was born in Woodstock, Georgia, on January 14, 1875. She was one of six children. Her mother raised her and her siblings.
In 1896, Lucy married William Smith. They had nine children together. The family moved to Athens, Georgia, in 1908. Soon after, her husband left. Lucy supported her family by sewing clothes for others. She later moved to Atlanta, and then to Chicago in 1910. William Smith eventually rejoined the family in Chicago.
Starting Her Church
Lucy Smith joined the Baptist Church when she was 12 years old. In Chicago, she learned about Pentecostalism. This is a type of Christian faith. By 1912, she was attending a Pentecostal church called Stone Church.
Lucy believed she had a special gift for prayer and healing. In 1916, she started holding prayer meetings in her own home. Only two other women joined her at first. As more people came, Elder Smith officially started the Langley Avenue All Nations Pentecostal Church in 1920.
At first, the church did not have its own building. It was like a "tent meeting," where people gathered in temporary spaces. In the mid-1920s, Elder Smith decided to build a new church. It was on Langley Avenue. The building was finished in December 1926. This was a big moment. It was the first church in Chicago ever started by a woman pastor.
Helping Her Community
Elder Smith was a powerful speaker. She also created many programs to help her community. During the Great Depression, she helped feed thousands of people. This was a time when many families struggled to find food and jobs.
She also built a strong gospel music program. All Nations was one of the first African American churches to share its worship services on the radio. Her granddaughter, "Little Lucy" Smith Collier, was a very talented musician. She played the piano and organ. "Little Lucy" began leading the church's music at just 12 years old.
In 1938, Elder Smith sold the Langley Avenue church building. She then built an even newer church. At its most popular, All Nations Church had 3,000 members. By the end of her life, Elder Smith believed she had helped more than 200,000 people through her weekly prayer and healing sessions.
Her Legacy
Elder Lucy Smith passed away on June 18, 1952. Her funeral was a huge event. Over 60,000 people came to say goodbye. It was the largest funeral Chicago had seen up to that time. Her casket was carried to Lincoln Cemetery by a horse and wagon.
