Mother Mary Magdalena L. Tate was born on January 3, 1871. During her youth, she was called “Miss Do Right” because of her character and demeanor. Mary Tate’s followers were known as “The Do Righters.” She became known by many of her faithful followers as Mother Tate
In 1903, this unique black woman, along with her two sons, Walter Curtis and Felix Early Lewis, founded and established in The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc. (I Timothy 3:15-16).
Mother Tate was baptized with the Holy Spirit in 1908. She sprang leaping and shouting up from a bed of affliction where she had lain there for some time. She began to speak in unknown and other tongues as the Spirit of God gave utterance and was healed from her affliction. She began to teach the people to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire.
The life of Mary Lena (Street, Lewis) Tate is significant because the plight and fight of women in their thrust to gain full status as productive and recognized citizens in all aspects of our society is not yet a fait accompli. The accomplishment of this person is just one among many milestones which must be recognized as significant in the struggles of women. The struggle in this particular field--the ministry--has gained momentum and is now being waged in many of the larger and more traditional churches.
The Sacred Steel Guitar legacy, is yet another powerful force to rise up out of the soul and spirit of Mother Tate’s church. Unfortunately, Mother Tate passed away before she could witness the sacred string music legacy that would later distinguish her church from all others. See http://www.youtube.com/sacredstrings
