The Parhamite Killings
“Charles Fox Parham gave his life to restore the revolutionary truths of healing and the baptism of the Holy Spirit to the Church.”
“The healing of the sick is as much part of the gospel as telling them of Heaven.”
Charles F. Parham (1873-1929) is the founder of the modern Pentecostal movement, and is the man who formulated the doctrine of speaking in tongues as evidence of being baptized by the Holy Spirit. His ideas were taught to William Seymour, who went on to initiate the Azusa Street Revival in 1906.
At the Assemblies of God’s Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center Museum you will see this historical description of Parham:
There are a number of very troubling aspects to the life of Charles Parham that the general public has been largely unaware of for many decades now. In his own lifetime, however, he was well known as a controversial character whose own dark story caused him to lose most of his following and then die in obscurity at the age of only 55.
Most shocking is the story of his brief time as the leader of a group in Zion, Illinois who violently killed people.
Victim 1
Letitia Greenhaulgh, a 64 year old invalid suffering with rheumatism: killed by the Parhamites.
Arms, Legs, and neck broken during a Paramite exorcism.
Victim 2
Frank Crowe, teenage boy with typhoid fever: killed by the Parhamites.
Refused water, fingers of the killers were thrust down his throat, his tongue slashed.
Victim 3
Bertha Young, 19 years old: Killed by the Parhamites.
It is possible that there may have been as many as 12 other victims, but the coroner was trying to suppress information about the Parhamites at the time.
Who Were the Parhamites?
Charles Fox Parham
Zion City, Illinois, the quasi-utopian city erected by John Alexander Dowie was in an upheaval. Dowie, the “great leader of Zion” had just been exposed for the fraud that he was. Allegations of mismanaged funds, the teaching of polygamy, and his many mistresses were being reported daily in newspapers around the country. The Dowieites were ripe for a new leader. Enter: Charles Fox Parham.
Parham came to town right in the middle of a struggle for the control of Zion between Wilbur Voliva (Dowie’s replacement), Dowie himself, who was in Mexico at the time, and other leaders of the town. He claimed to have a prophetic word from God to deliver the people of Zion from “the paths of commercialism.”
He also claimed to be a sort of savior to the people of Zion. One newspaper reports:
“Parham says that he has taken a deep interest in the Zionist movement since its inception, and has followed the teachings of Dowie. He asserts that God appeared to him in a dream two weeks ago and told him that Voliva was a false prophet and would lead the people of Zion into ruin. Ten days ago Parham says that “the spirit” again appeared to him at Topeka and commanded him at once to go to Zion and combat the evil influences of Voliva.”
As you can see in the above quote, Parham “has followed the teachings of Dowie.” Among other strange teachings, Dowie taught that all sickness and insanity were a result of demon possession. His methods of expelling the demon from a person were often violent. The case of Millie Logan is a good example of his violent exorcisms.
The Marion Star: May 24, 1900
Within 10 days, Parham had a following of 300. His meetings were held in the homes of his followers since Voliva had rented all of the major halls in the town in order to keep Parham from having a place to hold his assemblies. One paper reports, “The house was crowded, and the congregation covered the lawn.”
“‘I have come to save the people of Zion from the selfishness and bigotry of their leaders,” said the evangelist boldly. “ Four months ago I saw Zion in a vision, and the troubles of its people were made clear to me. ‘Arise and go to Zion and take up the burden of an oppressed people,’ a voice said to me. I am here and will bring you out of all your difficulties if you will trust in me.” “We will,” shouted more than 300 persons with the vim that formally greeted John Alexander Dowie. ”
Thus, the Parhamites were born. Parham never delivered on his promise though. He left Zion only a few months after arriving when a water tower fell on the large meeting tent he was living in. Two men saw their opportunity to lead the group, and stepped up as the new “unofficial” leaders of the Parhamites. Their names were Tom Hezmalhalch, and John G. Lake.
The Killings
Shortly after Parham left Zion City he was arrested for soliciting sex from a teenage boy (those charges were never proven, but Parham’s reputation was permanently harmed). The Parhamites had now seen two of their leaders fall. Frenzy ensued among the group, and the “Parhamites evidently viewed the source of their problems as being diabolical.” The exorcisms grew more and more violent until the torture and death of Letitia Greenhalgh got the attention of the local newspapers and very quickly made national news. It would soon be discovered that two other deaths occurred at the hands of the Parhamites, Frank Crowe, and Bertha Young.
Here’s an extensive video that shows the original newspaper stories of these bizarre and disturbing events:
A question needs to be asked of these gruesome stories:
What kind of spiritual leader leaves this kind of horrible mess in his wake?
Furthermore, if the “baptism of the Spirit as evidenced by tongues” was an essential component of a victorious Christian life (as Parham taught), why did he not demonstrate that victory in his own life?
After making great proclamations about healing and “overcoming the devil” Charles F. Parham appears to have been not much different than his fellow Pentecostal “pioneers,” John Alexander Dowie and John G. Lake.
John Alexander Dowie and the Invention of Modern Faith Healing, 1882-89
John G Lake’s Formative Years, 1870-1908: The Making of A Con Man
Daniel Long is the host of the Long for Truth YouTube channel, and co-host of the Messed Up Church podcast.