F uller, C harles E dward (1887–1968)

Abstract

Abstract Charles Edward Fuller, Baptist evangelist and radio broadcaster who founded Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA), was born on April 25, 1887, the fourth and last son of Henry and Helen Day Fuller, prosperous owners of a furniture store and fruit orchard in Los Angeles. Charles grew up in privilege. Both parents were strong Christians and had set up a trust fund to support overseas missionaries. After graduating magna cum laude from Pomona College in 1910 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, he married Grace Leone Payton, the daughter of a prominent physician. A year later she was converted. Charles headed to northern California to dredge for gold, a business his father heavily underwrote. After a near‐death experience while panning for gold, Charles promised to live for God. He and Grace moved to Placentia and began a fruit‐packing business. With their profits they bought a ten acre orange orchard, a purchase that would eventually make them wealthy when oil was discovered on the property. They also joined the Placentia Presbyterian Church. Despite his promise to serve God, Charles rarely attended Bible study. In 1914 the couple lost a child at birth, and the following year Grace was infected with tuberculosis. She returned home to her parents, who for the next two years nursed her back to health.