What Now? with Trevor Noah 99% Invisible and the Megachurch (featuring Gillian Jacobs)
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Oct 21, 2025 
Gillian Jacobs, an actor and contributor to 99% Invisible, teams up with Claire Hoffman, author of Sister Sinner, to dive into the life of Sister Aimee Semple McPherson, a groundbreaking evangelist. They explore the construction of the Angelus Temple, the emergence of the megachurch concept, and McPherson’s innovative use of media in ministry. Listeners learn about her mysterious 1926 disappearance and the scandalous media frenzy that followed. Jacobs and Hoffman illuminate McPherson’s complex legacy, blending faith, fame, and controversy.
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Discovery Of Angelus Temple
- Gillian Jacobs visited Echo Park and investigated the large domed building across from the lake as a personal hobby.
- She discovered it was the Angelus Temple and joined a tour to learn its history.
Prototype Of The Megachurch
- The Angelus Temple is regarded as the first American megachurch and opened in 1923.
- Its design and programming pioneered many features common in modern megachurches.
Sister Sinner Framing
- Claire Hoffman recounts that Amy Semple McPherson authored a biography titled Sister Sinner covering her life and disappearance.
- The book frames McPherson as powerful yet prone to questionable choices.
