Nov. 16, 1959
Mr. Richard Crayne, Morristown, Tenn.
I received your letter on Sat., Nov. 14, asking for information concerning the early days of the Apostolic Faith work in Los Angeles, but I must say I have only lived here since 1940 so what I can give you is mostly what I have gathered in talking to others who have been here much longer than I.
Bro. N. B. Lesher and I have worked together in the Apostolic Faith work since 1910, the year I moved to Portland, Ore. from Hobart, Okla. Bro. Lesher moved to Portland in 1909 from Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Mr. Seymour came to Portland, Ore. about 1911 with some of his helpers and tried to take over Sister Crawford’s work at Front and Burnside St., but met with complete failure.
Pastor Durham wanted Sister Crawford to let him preach his “finished work of Calvary” at Front & Burnside St. and she told him he never would. He said he would open a mission close by and take all her members away from her. She said “You are welcome to every member you can get.” He got a mission on Ankeny St. about 3 blocks from our place and one night a group of about 5 from the Apostolic Faith, including Bro. Lesher and myself went to hear him but very few people were there and we could not stand the spirit of the man and walked out and I think there could not have been more than 6 or 8 people left in his meeting when we went out. This event took place about 1911.
I have attended all the Apostolic Faith camp meetings held in Portland, Ore since the 1910 camp meeting, except one or two.
Respectfully, Allan V. McPherson South Pasadena, Cal.