Joseph Marcel Turpin

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

1887 ~ 1943

Bishop Joseph Marcel Turpin, the beloved son of the late John Francis Turpin, and Cora E. White, was born January 1, 1887, at Denton, Maryland. Elder Turpin was the founer of the Apostolic Church, Monument and Eden Streets, Baltimore, Maryland. He was a great lover of the truth for the truth's sake. He received the baptism of the Holy Ghost among those who taught the second definate work of grace or Eradicational theory. He later accepted the finished work of Calvary, which cost him many friends, and later still, he accepted the message of baptism in Jesus' name and the Oneness of God.

He was noted for his fatherly spirit in dealing with the saints of the church. He called them, son, or daughter and they looked upon him as a father. This relationship was marked at the funeral, as the members of the church filed past the bier, their plaintive cries were heard "My Father: My Father!" This expression of breavement was greatest when one of his favorite songs was sung, "Good morning, Heaven," It took twelve nurses to minister to the many sorrowing sisters of the church.

Elder Turpin with Elder Schooler founded the Eastern District Council over which he presided for about twelve years. During this time his ministry to the East was greatly blessed and owned of God: he filled the position of Chairman until he became a presbyter of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. On his return to the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, he was elected to the Eldership of the organization, which office he held at the time of his demise.

He filled the following offices of honor and responsibility to which he was first appointed by Bishop G.T. Haywood, and later elected for several consecutive years. First, District Elder, then Presbyter and later he was nominated at Indianapolis, Indiana, and elected Bishop in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He presided over the Eastern Dioceses for about ten years. Bishop Turpin in a measure, held the same position in the East as Bishop Haywood did in other parts of the country. A mild tempered man, he was quick to forgive and to be kind to those who opposed him.

Speaking at his funeral, Elder John W. Pritcher, a white brother, of a trinity organization who had ordained him for the ministry many years ago said: "Bishop Turpin was noted for his zeal and vision. He had succeeded at Monument and Eden in a building where he failed with a garage and a moving picture company failed to succeed with a theatre.

Twelve years prior to his passing, Bishop G.T. Haywood and Bishop Turpin were both sick unto death. God took Bishop Haywood to Himself, raised up Bishop Turpin and permitted him to remain until Wednesday March 17th, 1943 before calling him home.