Sister Gertrude Morgan

American, 1900–1980

Gertrude Williams was born in Lafayette, Alabama, in 1900. She moved to Columbus, Georgia, in 1918, and married Will Morgan in 1928. Morgan began preaching in 1934. Five years later, believing she was called by God to become a street minister, she left her husband and moved to New Orleans. Morgan founded an orphanage in Gentilly, Louisiana, with two other women associated with the "Holiness and Sanctified Denomination," a sect that believed in celebrating God through music and dance.

Morgan adopted the title "Sister" about 1940. She claimed that God called her to paint in 1956. Like the Shakers, her art conveys a deep sense of devotion and focuses exclusively upon religious themes. Morgan often included extensive scriptural citations to reinforce the message, using her paintings as visual concordance to her evangelical message.

Morgan often painted with whatever materials were available, presenting conservation issues for museums and collectors. She envisioned herself as the Bride of Christ in 1957, thereafter dressing exclusively in a white habit that often appears in her paintings. Morgan was unable to sustain the orphanage and moved to the French Quarter to establish "The Everlasting Gospel Mission." In 1971, she released "Let's Make a Record" featuring her original songs. She had a revelation to stop painting in 1974.