Smith Wigglesworth

Smith Wigglesworth was a British evangelist whose fiery preaching and uncompromising faith made him a defining figure of the early Pentecostal movement. Born in a Yorkshire village in 1859, he spent his early years as a plumber before a dramatic spiritual encounter redirected his life. For over five decades he traveled the world conducting healing crusades, and his sermons and books continue to circulate widely among charismatic and Pentecostal communities today.

Wigglesworth's ministry was marked by bold claims of divine healing and a relentless focus on the Holy Spirit. He conducted meetings across Britain, the United States, Australia, and Asia, often drawing crowds in the thousands. His plainspoken, confrontational style earned him both devoted followers and sharp critics, but his influence on Pentecostal practice and theology remains substantial.

He died in 1947 at age 87, but his recorded sermons and written works, such as Ever Increasing Faith, keep his legacy alive. Modern Pentecostal leaders still cite him as a spiritual giant, and his name is attached to awards and conferences that celebrate evangelistic work. [edit]

Smith Wigglesworth was born into extreme poverty in Menston, a small village in Yorkshire, England, on June 10, 1859 (some sources list June 8). His father worked as a laborer, and the family struggled to make ends meet. By age six, young Smith was already working in the fields, and he received almost no formal schooling. He later apprenticed as a plumber, a trade he practiced for years.

At age eight, he converted to Christianity during a Sunday school service, but his faith remained nominal for years. In his early twenties, he experienced a deeper spiritual awakening when he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, an event that he said transformed his life. He joined the Wesleyan Methodists, then the Salvation Army, and later the Plymouth Brethren, all the while continuing his plumbing work.

In the 1890s, he pastored a small church in Bradford while still working as a plumber. His breakthrough came in 1907 when he embraced Pentecostalism after being influenced by the Azusa Street revival, an experience that included speaking in tongues and a new focus on divine healing. [edit]

Wigglesworth's embrace of Pentecostalism in 1907 marked a turning point. He began conducting healing meetings in Britain, and by 1910 he was traveling internationally. His crusades took him to the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and various European countries.

In 1922, he held notable meetings in Melbourne, Australia, at Good News Hall, where numerous healings were reported. His 1926 visit to Sri Lanka sparked a local revival, with prayer meetings continuing after his departure. He became a prolific author, with sermons transcribed into books like Ever Increasing Faith and Faith That Prevails.

His ministry was characterized by dramatic, sometimes controversial methods. He would often shout at congregations and physically strike people he believed were afflicted by demons. Despite the controversy, his meetings drew large crowds, and his influence spread throughout the Pentecostal movement. He continued preaching until his death in 1947. [edit]

Wigglesworth's public image is that of a fiery, uncompromising faith healer. He was known for his plain, working-class clothing and a direct, authoritative tone. His sermons were often loud and confrontational, and he did not shy away from controversy.

In Pentecostal media, he is often portrayed as a spiritual giant, a man of extraordinary faith. His followers and readers often refer to him as the Apostle of Faith, a moniker that reflects his emphasis on believing for the impossible.

His legacy is kept alive through his books, recorded sermons, and the Smith Wigglesworth Legacy Award, which honors evangelists who carry on his tradition. The award is presented at Assemblies of God conferences, with recent recipients including Christopher and Britta Alam in 2026. [edit]

Smith Wigglesworth remains a towering figure in religious history, commanding a legacy that transcends his 1947 death. His influence is quantified by the 81st most famous person in Pastors, a standing down from 78th last cycle according to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement reflects sustained global attention across media coverage, search activity, and consumption signals worldwide, cementing his status as a defining voice of early Pentecostalism. While he lacks a formal fandom name like those found in pop culture, his devotees operate with intense devotion within charismatic circles, universally honoring him as "the Apostle of Faith." These followers gather in digital spaces and physical institutions, treating his words as living scripture rather than historical artifacts. Active communities on platforms like Facebook function as de facto fan clubs where members exchange testimonies and devotional content, while the annual Smith Wigglesworth Legacy Award presented by the Assemblies of God formalizes this reverence among modern clergy. Pilgrimages to his former home in Yorkshire continue, with believers gathering to pray at the site of his residence, seeking spiritual impartation in a ritual known as "releasing the anointing." His quotes circulate endlessly as inspirational fuel, appearing in galleries and social media feeds that treat his teachings as daily devotional necessities. The absence of a specific fan club name does not diminish the organized nature of his following; instead, their identity is forged through shared heritage and a relentless focus on his ministry's core themes of faith and healing.[edit]

Smith Wigglesworth was a large, imposing man, though records never captured his exact height. A persistent story claims doctors found missing bone on his kneecaps after his death, attributing the wear to decades of kneeling in prayer, yet this tale remains unverifiable folklore. His preaching style was brash and confrontational, often employing physical force during ministry, which sparked both admiration and criticism. No official fandom name exists, but his followers are widely known as students of his teachings. Notable quotes attributed to him include: "Fear looks; faith jumps. Faith never fails to obtain its object." and "Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests." Legends surrounding his life include the claim that he raised 14 people from the dead, a cornerstone of his mythos that circulates widely despite lacking independent medical or legal verification. Another enduring tale describes the discovery of worn-away kneecap bone during his autopsy, serving as physical proof of his extraordinary prayer life for those who believe it.[edit]

Smith Wigglesworth married Mary Jane Featherstone in 1882. She was a Salvation Army officer and a devout woman who encouraged his ministry. The couple had two children: a daughter, Alice, and a son, Harold.

Mary Jane died in 1913, leaving Wigglesworth a widower. He never remarried. His great-granddaughter has publicly shared stories of his ministry and reported supernatural events associated with his life, indicating an ongoing family legacy.

There are no records of any other romantic relationships or marriages during his lifetime. [edit]

Wigglesworth was associated with his wife Mary Jane Featherstone, his daughter Alice, and his son Harold. His great-granddaughter has spoken publicly about his ministry. He was also connected to the broader Pentecostal leadership of his era, including figures from the Azusa Street revival that influenced him. [edit]

Smith Wigglesworth married Mary Jane Featherstone in 1882. She was a Salvation Army officer who encouraged his preaching. The couple had two children together. Mary Jane died in 1913, and Wigglesworth never remarried. There are no records of any other romantic relationships or engagements during his lifetime.

At the time of his death in 1947, he was a widower. [edit]

Smith Wigglesworth, the British evangelist known as the "Apostle of Faith," died on March 12, 1947, at his home in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He was 87 years old at the time of his death. While the exact medical cause of death is not detailed in an official public autopsy report or coroner's inquest within the provided search results, a persistent and widely circulated account states that upon his death, doctors discovered that some of the bone on each of his knee caps was missing. This finding is often cited by biographers and sources like Atlas Obscura to illustrate the physical toll of his ministry, where he was known for his rough, forceful methods of laying hands on the sick.

There is no evidence in the provided records of a formal legal investigation, police inquiry, lawsuit, or trial connected to his death; it is treated historically as a natural passing following a long life of ministry. Regarding public reaction, immediate tributes were recorded from peers and institutions within the Pentecostal movement, though specific details of fan vigils, chart surges, or memorial murals are not documented in the available search data. The primary public acknowledgment has been retrospective, with the establishment of the Smith Wigglesworth Legacy Award, which honors contemporary evangelists. Recent recipients of this award include Steve and Jeri Hill and Christopher and Britta Alam, announced in November 2024 at the Evangelist Recharge Conference, and other recipients recognized in 2026.

In March 2023, Christian media outlets commemorated his legacy by noting significant dates in his life, such as his 1926 prayer meetings in Sri Lanka. His funeral and burial arrangements are not explicitly detailed in the provided search results regarding the specific date, location, or notable attendees beyond the general context of his Bradford residence. However, his home in Bradford remains a site of interest for believers, with reports of pastors gathering outside his house to pray, citing a belief in a "transferable anointing" associated with the location. Posthumously, Smith Wigglesworth's estate and legacy have been managed through various publications and foundations. Numerous books, including biographies and collections of his sermons such as The Gifts of Healing and the Working of Miracles, continue to be published and distributed.

His name is frequently invoked in prophetic discussions, with recent articles analyzing his prophecies regarding the unity of the Word and the Spirit. A specific line regarding his estate: His financial estate was reportedly modest, consistent with his reputation as a man who gave away most of his earnings, leaving little behind for traditional inheritance.[edit]

Smith Wigglesworth lived modestly as a plumber and evangelist in the early 20th century. No credible financial records exist for his wealth at death or his estate's current value. His estate's primary revenue source is the ongoing sale of his books, which remain in print, and the licensing of his recorded sermons. The estate is managed privately by his descendants, though no public financial disclosures exist. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, there is no reliable estimate of his net worth as of 2026, and celebrity-net-worth sites do not track his estate. His legacy is measured more in spiritual influence than financial terms.[edit]

Wigglesworth's honours are entirely religious. The Assemblies of God denomination has institutionalized a Smith Wigglesworth Legacy Award, presented at its Evangelists Recharge Conference. In 2024, the recipients were Steve and Jeri Hill, and Christopher and Britta Alam. In 2026, a new class of recipients was named, continuing to recognize evangelistic legacy in his name. [edit]