Rheba Crawford with her attorney Joseph Fainer. Crawford had been dismissed from her post of associate pastor of Angelus Temple by Aimee Semple McPherson, an action which she contested due to specifications in her contract.
Evangelist and political figure Robert P. Shuler (center right) walking down stairs with his wife. Shuler became famous for his controversial sermons and radio broadcasts from Trinity Methodist church.
Famed evangelist Aimee McPherson (right) and former head of the State Department of Social Welfare Rheba Crawford (left) share a look. Crawford had recently given up her post at the State Department to become an associate pastor with McPherson at Angelus Temple.
Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson with her former nurse Ella Nordin and her business manager Giles Knight in the office of attorney Arndt. McPherson's former attorney Jacob Moidel had pressed a suit against her accusing her of illegally discharging him, which she contended with accusations that Moidel had attempted to force her to resign from her position at her church. Nordin and Knight were to give testimony about threatening messages received from Moidel.
Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson conferring with her attorneys over paperwork. McPherson's former attorney Jacob Moidel had pressed a suit against her accusing her of illegally discharging him, which she contended with accusations that Moidel had attempted to force her to resign from her position at her church.
Rheba Crawford with her attorney Joseph Fainer and others, including Willedd Andrews, attorney for Aimee McPherson Semple. Crawford had been dismissed from her post of associate pastor of Angelus Temple by Aimee Semple McPherson, an action which she contested due to specifications in her contract. Crawford is dead center, with Joseph Fainer to her right.
Rheba Crawford with her attorney Joseph Fainer dealing with legal matters. Crawford had been dismissed from her post of associate pastor of Angelus Temple by Aimee Semple McPherson, an action which she contested due to specifications in her contract. Crawford is center, with Joseph Fainer to her right.
Famed evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson appearing in court to refute promotor Harry Essman's claim that McPherson hired him as her business manager. Essman sought payment of a $7500 promissory note that Semple gave him.
Famed evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson presumably leaving court after appearing to refute promotor Harry Essman's claim that McPherson hired him as her business manager. Essman sought payment of a $7500 promissory note that Semple gave him.
Famed evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson appearing in court to refute promotor Harry Essman's claim that McPherson hired him as her business manager. Essman sought payment of a $7500 promissory note that Semple gave him.
Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson conferring with her attorneys over paperwork. McPherson's former attorney Jacob Moidel had pressed a suit against her accusing her of illegally discharging him, which she contended with accusations that Moidel had attempted to force her to resign from her position at her church.
Members of the Angelus Temple Roberta Semple, daughter of pastor Aimee Semple McPherson, Rheba Crawford, assistant pastor, Harriet Jordan, business manager await the return of their pastor Aimee Semple McPherson from her world tour. Jacob Moidel, McPherson's attorney, indicates what is possibly a legal document with his pen. From left to right, Robert Semple, Harriet Jordan, Rheba Crawford, and Jacob Moidel.
Members of the Angelus Temple Roberta Semple, daughter of pastor Aimee Semple McPherson, Rheba Crawford, assistant pastor, and Harriet Jordan, business manager, await the return of their pastor Aimee Semple McPherson from her world tour. From left to right, Roberta Semple, Rheba Crawford, and Harriet Jordan.
Famed evangelist Aimee McPherson (left) and former head of the State Department of Social Welfare Rheba Crawford (right) link arms in front of a crowd. A train is visible in the background. Crawford had recently given up her post at the State Department to become an associate pastor with McPherson at Angelus Temple.
Famed evangelist Aimee McPherson (right) and former head of the State Department of Social Welfare Rheba Crawford (left) embracing. Crawford had recently given up her post at the State Department to become an associate pastor with McPherson at Angelus Temple.
Aimee Semple McPherson and Mrs. M. B. Godbey in a pantry preparing food baskets. McPherson was a noted evangelist and founder of the Angelus Temple and the Foursquare Church.
Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson during a trial in which she testified against her daughter Roberta, who had taken a $150,000 slander action against Willedd Andrews. Standing is attorney Joe Fainer, counsel for Roberta.
Madge Morris sitting down with legs crossed and smiling. Possibly the sister of Bernice Morris, who was the secretary of attorney R.A. McKinley who defended Aimee Semple McPherson in her alleged kidnapping case.
From the letter: "My Dear Katherine Joe Harry & Dad, May god bless you all I got your letter and was so blue... I love you all & trying to make some money. I will send you soon as quick as I can..."
In 1926 evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson disappeared from Venice Beach in California for 5 weeks. Thought to have drowned, she emerged in Mexico, claiming to have been kidnapped. A grand jury investigation indicated that she had actually been staying with a former employee, Kenneth Ormiston. The case against McPherson was finally dismissed.
Related to article, "New Storm Hits Temple: Suits Filed Against Mrs. McPherson in Realty Promotion and Reprisal Actions Promised," Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 1928: A1.
From the letter"... there's nothing more I could say - except perhaps gain your confidence more than is possible on paper.--Believe me - If I had youre preacher lady I'd collect that $25,000...Kennedy has offered - Poor Mrs. Kennedy- my heart sure bleeds for her..."
At center, Roberta Semple McPherson stands in profile, facing left. She stands to the right of a desk and rests her hands onto a document. She wears a black dress with a ruffled white collar and ruffled white cuffs. She also sports a beret. In the background, a water cooler stands at right and a man speaks on a telephone at left.
Ormiston was the man that was suspected of having a romantic getaway with Aimee McPherson during her alleged kidnapping. In this document, he alleges that it was a different woman he refers to as "Miss X".
Aimee Semple McPherson was an evangelist with the Angelus Temple. In 1926 she disappeared and was allegedly kidnapped; however upon her return, she was charged, along with her mother, Mildred Kennedy, with conspiracy, perjury and obstruction of justice.
From the letter: "Oh what a miserable thing they have done to me, they said they'd get me and they think they have, but what I've got a card to spring, they don't know of yet now dear if you will send down 3000 for land..."
From the letter: "Dear Friend: A summer colony of Crhistian people in the most delightful, beautiful, ideal vacation-land in America--Lake Tahoe. That is our most sincere ambition for Tahoe Cedars, the gem of Lake Tahoe."
From note: "San Juan House looking Northwest... This view not before published...window at left is one Douglas Authorities state is identical with Mrs McPherson's description of one thru which she escaped..."
Aimee McPherson convinced her followers to purchase real estate for Angelus Temple and was being charged with a fraud suit for taking commission on the transaction.
Aimee Semple McPherson kisses a school girl (possibly a family member) on the platform of a train car as a crown watches. McPherson is about to depart for Boston and holds a large bouquet of roses.
Roberta Semple, standing before the door of a Greyhound bus, waves to those seeing her off. Two women, one with a guitar and another with a ukulele, stand beside her.