Marshall Herff Applewhite (1901-1971) was born in San Antonio, Texas on September 3rd, 1901. Applewhite, a Presbyterian minister, was licensed and ordained in 1929 after receiving degrees from the University of Texas and the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served as pastor at many churches in Texas, was stated clerk of the Fort Worth and John Knox Presbyteries, and worked extensively with the Presbytery’s Home Missions Committee on new church development.
Applewhite was notably involved in the founding of the Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1946. The only structure Applewhite could secure for the church in light of war-time material restrictions was 50 miles away, and had to be floated on a barge to its new location.
Applewhite was married and had four children, one of whom, Marshall Herff Applewhite Jr., was the founder and leader of the Heaven’s Gate cult. Marshall Herff Applewhite died in 1971.
From the guide to the Marshall Herff Applewhite papers 2007-009., 1944-1970, (Austin Seminary Archives, Stitt Library, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.)
