Rex Humbard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rex Humbard |
|
 |
|
| Born | August 13, 1919 in Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | September 21, 2007 (aged 88) in Atlantis, Florida, U.S. |
| Church | Pentecostal |
| Congregations served | Cathedral of Tomorrow, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio |
| Spouse | Maude Aimee |
| Children | Rex, Jr., Don, Charles, and Elizabeth |
| Parents | Alpha E. Humbard and Martha Bell |
Alpha Rex Emmanuel Humbard (born August 13, 1919 – died September 21, 2007) was a famous American television evangelist. His show, Cathedral of Tomorrow, was very popular. At its peak, it was shown on over 600 TV stations.
Contents
Who Was Rex Humbard?
Rex Humbard was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 13, 1919. His parents were also Pentecostal evangelists. From a young age, he traveled with them to church events across the country. He learned about faith and God during these travels.
Humbard made history as the first evangelist to have a weekly TV show across the entire United States. This show ran from 1952 to 1983. His very first TV broadcast was in 1949.
Building the Cathedral of Tomorrow
In 1958, Humbard built his church, the Cathedral of Tomorrow, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. This large church cost $4 million. It was specially designed for television broadcasts. It had space for TV equipment, crew, and a chorus. The church could also seat 5,400 people.
Rex Humbard's TV Shows
Humbard's television programs often featured gospel music. Groups like the popular Cathedral Quartet performed on his show. His wife, Maude Aimee, and their children also frequently appeared.
His ministry grew to reach many parts of the world. By the late 1970s, about 20 million people watched his shows. This was more than any other TV evangelist at the time. In Brazil, he drew huge crowds to soccer stadiums in São Paulo. Rex Humbard even led the funeral service for Elvis Presley, who admired Humbard's work.
Financial Challenges and Changes
In the 1960s, Humbard's ministry started buying businesses. These businesses were meant to help raise money for his work. They owned various things, like a factory, an office building, and even a college.
However, in the early 1970s, the ministry faced financial difficulties. They had sold bonds and notes to raise money. These sales came under review by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Some states stopped the sales of these notes. Humbard explained that the SEC had different rules for counting assets. He also said that investors always received their payments on time. In the end, he had to sell most of the ministry's businesses. He also had to reduce his work overseas.
Humbard had started building a rotating restaurant tower at his Cathedral of Tomorrow complex. This tower was also planned to hold a TV transmission antenna. But because of the financial issues, construction stopped. The tower was later sold and is now used for cellular phones.
Family and Later Years
In 1982, Rex Humbard and his family moved to Florida. His son, Rex Jr., took over the ministry. Another son, Charles, now leads the UP television network.
The rest of the Cathedral of Tomorrow complex was sold in 1984. After retiring in the 1980s, Rex Humbard continued to appear on TV. He also made public appearances, sharing his Christian message. He was married to Maude Aimee in 1942.
Rex Humbard's Legacy
Rex Humbard wrote two autobiographies. These were Miracles in My Life and The Soul Winning Century, The Humbard Family Legacy. He was recognized for his contributions to broadcasting.
He was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1993. He also joined the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1991. U.S. News & World Report named him one of the "Top 25 Principal Architects of the American Century." In 2007, he was inducted into the Arkansas Walk of Fame.
Rex Humbard passed away on September 21, 2007, in Atlantis, Florida. He was 88 years old and died from congestive heart failure. He was survived by his wife, Maude Aimee (who died in 2012), and his four children. He is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairlawn, Ohio.
