This book is the story of the Metropolitan Church Association (MCA) an intentional religious community founded in Chicago and later Waukesha, Wisconsin in the early 1890s. A product of the holiness revival of the late nineteenth century and an important catalyst for Pentecostalism the MCA played a significant role in the twentieth century growth of Pentecostal Christianity and were one of the dozens of evangelical communal societies that flourished between 1890 and 1917. As one of the most controversial communal societies of the era, its members were commonly known as ‘holy jumpers’ because of ... More

This book is the story of the Metropolitan Church Association (MCA) an intentional religious community founded in Chicago and later Waukesha, Wisconsin in the early 1890s. A product of the holiness revival of the late nineteenth century and an important catalyst for Pentecostalism the MCA played a significant role in the twentieth century growth of Pentecostal Christianity and were one of the dozens of evangelical communal societies that flourished between 1890 and 1917. As one of the most controversial communal societies of the era, its members were commonly known as ‘holy jumpers’ because of their acrobatic worship style, or ‘Burning Bushers’ because of their acerbic periodical the Burning Bush. The book shows the MCA’s impact on the lives of such key figures in twentieth century Evangelism as popular evangelists Bud Robinson and Seth C. Rees, and self designated first women bishop, Alma White; and such key figures in Pentecostalism as A. G. Garr and Glenn Cook. The book makes three crucial contributions to an understanding of American religion and culture. First, it provides important background material on the origins of Pentecostalism. Secondly it clarifies the internal struggles within the Holiness Movement. It is precisely these currents that came to dominate in the new churches being organized in America, Africa and Asia. Thirdly, this book demonstrates the ease that holiness radicals embraced and created elements of modern culture from gospel music, art calendars (Scripture Text Calendar) to communication.