Dr. Sarah Anne Grant was an influential evangelist in Northern Indiana, Iowa, and Oklahoma, serving the Free Methodist Church. While officially licensed as an evangelist for the Northern Indiana Conference in 1890 and 1891, her ministry in Iowa and Oklahoma seemed more informal, possibly due to incomplete annual conference records. Despite this, she regularly submitted ministry reports during her time in these regions, actively assisting Free Methodist elders in holding revivals.
In 1911, Dr. Grant moved to Southern California for health reasons, but instead of retiring, she took up active ministry again. She was appointed as the pastor of the San Diego Free Methodist Church, serving from 1912 to 1913. Her ministry in San Diego came at a challenging time. A 1930 issue of The Free Methodist described the rough conditions in the city, which was home to a population of 60,000 and known for its thriving red-light district and saloon industry.
Challenges in San Diego: Confronting the City’s Red-Light District
San Diego’s saloon industry was a particular challenge for Free Methodists, who supported temperance. Local saloons even contributed $50,000 to the Panama-California Exhibition, making it difficult for city officials to enforce crackdowns on vice. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Grant was actively involved with city reformers, working with women in the red-light districts. Many male tourists found their way to her church, experiencing conversion before returning to their homes.
Continuous Revival Under Dr. Grant’s Leadership
Dr. Grant’s ministry in San Diego thrived without the need for special revival services. In January 1912, she invited Free Methodists traveling to Southern California to visit her church at 917 Front and Bush Street. She reported a “continuous revival” and by April 1912, 17 new members had joined the congregation, many of whom were tourists. She credited this growth to the power of the Holy Spirit and emphasized that their regular meetings were sufficient for spiritual renewal.
In March 1912, The San Diego Sun profiled Dr. Grant’s work, painting a picture of her dedication despite the small size of her congregation. With only five or six members and an average of 15 to 20 attendees at each service, her salary was modest, and her children supplemented her income to help her and her husband, John, make ends meet.
A 1913 Revival: Spiritual Battles and Triumphs
One of Dr. Grant’s final reports from the San Diego church in March 1913 detailed a four-week revival that led to over 30 conversions. She described the spiritual battles faced during this time, with hostile crowds gathering outside the church and even an attempt on the preacher’s life. Despite these challenges, the revival was a success, with even a Catholic preacher experiencing sanctification.
Rise of Women Evangelists in the Free Methodist Church
Dr. Grant’s leadership in San Diego coincided with a period of increasing female involvement in ministry within the Free Methodist Church. By 1910, 81 percent of all licensed evangelists were women, a significant rise from 33 percent in 1905. While women evangelists like Grant could serve as ministerial delegates, they were still not permitted to become ordained elders.
Dr. Sarah Anne Grant’s Legacy: A Pioneer for Women in Ministry
Dr. Sarah Anne Grant’s contributions to the Free Methodist Church reflect both her resilience and the shifting attitudes toward women in ministry during the early 20th century. Her work in challenging environments like San Diego exemplifies her dedication to her faith and her role as a pioneer for women in ministry.
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1 Hamner, W.G. “Granite Oklahoma.” The Free Methodist (Chicago, March 24, 1903), 5.
2 Anderson, W. H. “San Diego,” The Free Methodist (Chicago, January 7, 1913) 5.
3 Ibid.
4 San Diego Sun, “San Diego, California,” The Free Methodist (Chicago, March 12, 1912) 5.
5 Grant, Anna S. “San Diego California” The Free Methodist (Chicago, March 11, 1912) 12.
6 Christy Mesaros-Winckles, Data on Free Methodist Women Evangelists 1876-1912 (March 2022), distributed by Christy Mesaros-Winckles.
Free Methodist Feminist 
Christy,
Do you mind if I post this on the Free Methodist Conversations website? May I link to your blog for the whole article?
Denny
Yes, that would be awesome!