May Evans (Mrs. G. W.)

May Evans and her husband, G. W., were leaders in the Azusa Street Revival. The couple were part of the mission's inter-racial credentials committee. According to the September 1906 edition of the Apostolic Faith, May was the first white woman in Los Angeles to receive the baptism in the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues.

On April 9 when the Spirit first fell on Bonnie Brae Street, only African-American worshippers were present. It is likely that May received at the Bonnie Brae house later during that week. (To learn more about the initial outpouring, read The Life and Ministry of William J. Seymour. Click here to order.)

In August, May had gone to Oakland, California with Florence Crawford and Sister Junk, and others to work as missionaries. According to the November 1906 issue of Apostolic Faith, she was stricken by a serious illness that had previously afflicted her. As they prayed she saw a vision of Jesus in the rolling clouds. The other ladies also saw Jesus. May was instantaneously healed.

Thirteen years previously she had had a similar healing. After a harrowing experience that included her being drugged by her family and taken unwilling to a hospital for surgery, she was given up to die. A light from Heaven filled her room and Jesus told her he would heal her. In three days she was out of bed and within a week she could walk a mile. After the healing, she was "in the Lord's work."

If you have any further information on G.W. or May Evans, if you have additional photographs, or if you are a descendent, please contact us at info@azusastreet.org.

Click here to return to the Participant List.

Click here to return to the Azusa Home Page.