Lucy Farrow: A Pillar of the Azusa Street Revival
Lucy Farrow’s integral part in the Azusa Street Revival is evidenced first through her earlier relationship with William Seymour in Houston and then with the support she supplied when arriving in Los Angeles. The first issue of The Apostolic Faith newspaper offers a little glimpse into her life: “From Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles, bringing the Full Gospel. God has greatly used her as she laid hands on many that have received the Pentecost and the gift of tongues. She has now returned to Houston, en route to Norfolk, VA. This is the old home that she left as a girl, being sold into slavery in the South. The Lord she feels is now calling her back. Sister Farrow, Brother WJ Seymour, and Brother JA Warren were the three the Lord sent from Houston as messengers of the Full Gospel.”
Birth and Early Years
Farrow was born sometime before 1864 when the slaves were freed because she is said to have “been sold as a child” which means that she was probably between the ages of three/four and ten years old. Estrelda Alexander, in her book, The Women of Azusa Street, writes that Farrow was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1851. This would mean she was 45, plus up to 10 years older, by the time of the Houston revival.
Ministry in Houston
While attending the Bryan Hall meetings, Lucy Farrow became friends with the Parham family and was offered the position of governess. Although she was pastor of a small Holiness church, Farrow decided to return to Kansas when the Parhams left Texas. At that time, she had recently become friends with Seymour and asked him to pastor her church until she returned a couple of months later.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
While in Baxter Springs, in the summer of 1905, she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, becoming the first black person to come into Pentecost. We know very little about Farrow, only that she was said to be pastor of the Holiness church in Houston to which Neely Terry came from California to visit and where she met Seymour. Farrow was said to be a musician, and before she left for Los Angeles, she “was engaged as a cook at the school.” Her rise to prominence followed her receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Influence on Seymour
It is usually assumed that through her influence, Seymour came in contact with Parham’s teaching, eventually leading him to attend Parham’s Bible school. Seymour went to Los Angeles, arriving on February 22, still without experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit. During the following weeks, Seymour made a strong pitch to the group to invite Lucy Farrow to come to join the work, and money was collected to bring her. Seymour then arranged for Lucy Farrow and A.J. Warren to come to California.
Arrival in Los Angeles
When Farrow arrived, Seymour called for ten days of prayer and fasting. Farrow was staying as a guest in the home of “Irish” Owen Lee, the “Fighting Irishman,” a white man who was a janitor. On April 9, at Lee’s request, after much heart-searching, she laid her hands on him, and he broke out in tongues. He left immediately for the Bonnie Brae Street prayer meeting at the Asberrys’ home, and when he walked through the door with his hands raised, speaking in tongues, the fire fell on those present.
Debate on the Events
There is some debate about whether it was Seymour who laid hands on Lee or if it was Lucy Farrow. It is possible that there were two separate events. According to Emma Cotton, one of the key women during those days at Azusa, it was Sister Farrow who laid hands on him.
Later Ministry
The remaining information about Lucy Farrow is spread throughout the various issues of The Apostolic Faith newspapers. When Lucy traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, it was said, “This is her old home which she left as a girl, being sold into slavery in the South.” A very brief stop in New Orleans resulted in praying for two people for healing. In a few weeks, some 159 received the Baptism in Portsmouth. Her attitude was “When the Lord says go, I must go” and she believed He was calling her to Africa. She joined with others in Chicago, and they left for Africa, by way of England, on the last of December.
Tale Tuesday 037
Date: 18th April 2023
Title: Women of Azusa- Lucy Farrow ( Part 1)
Source: The Azusa Street Revival
Author: Roberts Liardon
Previous post
Next post
