Who was Harry Morse ?

[Scott Pitta]

In researching the Harry Morse biography, I stumbled over a suitcase full of documents belonging to a certain MR Tatman.

Morse and Tatman were peers and friends who both pastored in Oakland in the 1920's.

The collection of 250 documents is archived at the AOG Flower archive. The archive just posted an article about it. Not sure how to load it on this page.

Yes, I am petty excited. It makes up for all the dead ends of researching this project.

Now if I could get my hands on old copies of the Gospel Tidings or the Northwest News.....

[Scott Pitta]

This is a first hand account of the founding of the Morse Mission in Oakland. I needed this data but could not find it. I am so very excited. I found it looking for something else.

Our Trip North
On the first of November, pastor Harry Morse, Evangelist Winnifred Westfeld and the writer commenced to hold special revival services at the ninth street mission in Oakland. We were assisted by a large local staff of workers besides some from outside points. The meetings were well attended and the interest was wonderfully on the increase when the ten days expired. In fact, Pastor Morse remarked at last Sunday’s meeting, the power of God was present in such a remarkable way that it seemed we were just beginning. The word of God was honored in these meetings. The saints would sit with their Bible open listening to the messages and drinking them in. They would be so lost in the spirit at times that they would forget to mark the references in their Bibles and could be heard afterwards diligently comparing notes so as to get the present message in its true scriptural setting.

Many were baptized in water in the name of Jesus who were bitterly hostile to this truth at the commencement of the meetings, and some received the Holy Spirit. One remarkable baptism was that of a dear simple Catholic man from Napa, Cal. He came from Brother Scott’s mission, and after receiving the Holy Ghost told of what he had suffered for the name of Jesus. He was bound with cords and beaten by his own wife. The Catholics accused him of giving away his money to the Pentecostal people, and of being insane, but when the trial came off in court the judge acquitted him of every charge, and so absolute was the vindication that his wife wept on his neck and asked forgiveness. The Lord did many wonderful things at these meetings, and we feel that in every way they repaid the labor expended on them.

Pastor Morse found the work completely run down, and coming there from the Los Angeles camp meeting, he gathered the scattered saints and started an uphill fight. The result is that he has built up a strong work there, and he has practically the only live mission in the city of Oakland. We opened a new hall at San Francisco at 791A Howard street at a cost of $46 per month. We were practically strangers in the city and had no capital, but God said “go ahead,” and we obeyed. One precious brother helped to furnish the hall and advanced the money we needed voluntarily.Our staff of workers were entertained by Pastor Morse’s people at Oakland for many days. This was at great sacrifice to the pastor and his precious wife.They gave up their beds and slept out in the hall in order to entertain us. I have counted as many as twenty three sit down to dinner at the mission house during these days. We crossed the Ferry and travelled back and forth to the meetings, often getting back to Oakland at midnight. When the meetings were established we began to look and pray for a home in the city. God supplied this need also and a six roomed flat was rented and a precious brother loaned us all the furniture we needed. We are occupying this home now, and the Lord is supplying all needs.

In addition to this we had to purchase a piano and hymn books, and altogether our expenses, with the baptismal font which we had to install, came to around $200, so that we feel assured we are in Divine order in this place, for nothing but a miracle could have gained an entrance here. The gates of this city have always been closed against God’s truth, but we feel that there is a grand work to be done here this winter.

We had our first baptismal service on Sunday, the 28th of November. Three were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. They were all of Persian nationality.

The street meetings are wonderful and crowds of hungry men and women follow into the hall. Many have repented of their sins and are applying for baptism in water, after which they will have hands laid on them and receive the Holy Ghost in the Bible order. The meetings are held here every night but Monday and Sunday afternoon also. Saints passing through here should call. They will receive a hearty welcome.

Fred Scott, 1443A Harrison street, Pastor in charge.

Written by F.J. Ewart
Meat in Due Season
December 1915

[Scott Pitta]

Evangelist Winifred Westfield was a Peniel Mission worked in Seattle in 1910. In 1920, she is living in San Francisco and is an evangelist. In 1940, she is living in Billings, Montana, and is probably retired. She passed away in Phoenix in 1956. Her sister, Audrey Souder, was also an evangelist.

Fred Scott looks like he was a missionary for the UPC. I have not done the work on him, yet.

[Steve Epley]

Thanks I really look forward to these. Main reason I come over here.

[Scott Pitta]

Fred K Scott was a missionary to Uruguay for the UPC. I contacted his family to see if they have any old pictures.

I did put together a list of the pastors and addresses of the Apostolic Faith Mission of San Francisco. So far, it covers from 1918 to 1960. Before I can understand the relationship between the AFM and the Morse mission, I need to find out who pastored there.

I did a search of the minister lists of the AOG from 1914 until 1920. That list is a bit confusing, Or, ministers really moved around a lot. One thing is certain. There were a lot of women ministers in Oakland in 1914 and fewer as time went on.

Since Harry Morse did not arrive in Oakland until 1915, I can not connect those women in ministry to his influence. However, Carrie Judd Montgomery was a longtime Oakland resident who was a minister and they might be due to her influence. Or there is not connection at all.

I need to do more homework. But for now, I'm going fishing.

[Carl]

Thanks for the update. I believe Fred Scott had a son by the same name who also was a missionary to Central and South America. He pastored h ere in Wisconsin in the 1950's but lived in Oregon the rest of his life when not on the mission field. He was my mother in law's pastor when she was young. I met him a few times and heard some stories about the mission field, never knew he had Pentecostal roots going back that far, if it is the same man.

[Scott Pitta]

You are correct. The son was the missionary. Which means I do not know who the dad was. Time for more homework. The Dad lived from 1875-1942.

As far as the fishing report....

a pair of muskies stole my bait. I landed one small mouth bass, 3 short walleyes and one rock bass. The muskies were around 4 get long. Which means we will go out for dinner.

[Carl]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

You are correct. The son was the missionary. Which means I do not know who the dad was. Time for more homework. The Dad lived from 1875-1942.

As far as the fishing report....

a pair of muskies stole my bait. I landed one small mouth bass, 3 short walleyes and one rock bass. The muskies were around 4 get long. Which means we will go out for dinner.

Ya, Fred K Scott was born in Calgary and the family moved to Oregon when he was a child. No relation there. Better luck fishing next time. We've fished on the Buckhorn and Castle Rock for many years. Hope to get there this year again.

[Scott Pitta]

I usually fish for walleyes below the Castle Rock Dam. It is not far from the house.

[Scott Pitta]

The Apostolic Faith Mission of San Francisco was started by William Seymour and his staffers back in 1906. After a little work, I traced it to 1982.

The Apostolic Assembly church under Pedro Nava began there in 1963.

Albert Brisbane left the AOG in 1963 and started the Apostolic Temple in 1963.

B. E. Kimberly founded the Apostolic Gospel Church in 1972.

In 1966, the Apostolic Pentecostal Church was in operation for 2 years under Iwin Watson.

I hope that by contacting the 2 churches still in operation, I can find old pics or documents or seniors with clear memories.

Pastors of the Apostolic Faith Mission
1906 Adolf Rosa
1918 L. N. Bourcy
1919 L. N. Bourcy
1930 J. O. Damron
1932 R. R. Crawford
1933 J. C. Robins
1939- 1942 T. C. Thomas
1945 A. L. Crabtree
1953-1955 Forrest Damron
1957- 1960 Norman A. Allen
1961 Norman R Allen
1962 Vernon E. Schroeder

My data is incomplete. Before I can understand the relationship between the Morse Mission and the Apostolic Faith Mission, I need to find more data. I do not have data past 1982. Not yet.