The Singing Evangelist

The exhibit "Elsie Ahlwén Sundeen: The Singing Evangelist" takes a look at Elsie Ahlwén Sundeen's life and work. It includes advertising cards and pamphlets, correspondence, and music.

Elsie Rebecca Ahlwén Sundeen was an evangelist, musician and composer. Born in Sweden in 1905, she received training at Örebro Mission College before migrating to the United States around 1925. She was an active evangelist and traveled widely preaching and singing to various churches and groups.

Elsie married Daniel A. Sundeen in 1935 in Manchester, New Hampshire, and had two sons. Elsie and Daniel founded a church in New Hampshire, Raymond Community Bible Club (now Raymond Baptist Church), which first met in the showroom of his lumber and building supply company. After Daniel died in 1962 and Elsie continued her ministry with renewed efforts until her death in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 6, 1986.

The center is located in the Denkmann Memorial Building, first floor. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. weekdays.