Pearl and Edmond Stark collection

Collection

Identifier: M0101

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of multiple biographies detailing Pearl and Edmond's lives, as well as artifacts such as Edmond's personal Bible, a general assembly ribbon, and a letter to Vonceil Smith. The bulk of the collection consists of Pearl Stark's will and life insurance policy, as well as many Angolan and Portuguese travel documents.

Dates

1934-1984

Biographical / Historical

Pearl and Edmond Stark both started off as young Christians spreading the Word of God, later meeting and getting married in 1937. Just 6 months later, they were sent to Africa, the first Church of God missionaries to ever step foot in Angola. In 1939 however, Edmond passed away from illness making him the first Church of God missionary to die in the field. Newly in mourning, World War II was brewing, and Pearl was sent home. After 9 years, Pearl made her way back to Angola, spending fourteen years of her life evangelizing to the people. After she left Angola for the last time in 1962, she spent the last 30 years of her life continuing in her call by preaching about the importance of evangelism and missionary work, passing away in 1992 at 90 years old.