65 years ago, Altoona was Billy Graham's crucible

From Altoona-

In the fall of 1949, the Rev. Billy Graham led an eight-week series of revival meetings in Los Angeles, drawing multitudes and making converts of celebrities and commoners. He rocketed into the headlines and hasn't left them since, even today at age 95 and in frail health.

But there almost was no Los Angeles, no epochal career preaching to hundreds of millions as the 20th century's dominant personality in evangelical Christianity.

Sixty-five years ago this month, before most people had ever heard of him, Rev. Graham's evangelistic career was nearly buried here in the Central Pennsylvania railroad hub of Altoona.

A look back at Billy Graham's 1949 revival in Altoona

Before Rev. Billy Graham's 1949 triumph in Los Angeles, he had to endure two difficult weeks with a revival in Altoona.

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http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/06/22/altoona-billy-graham-1949-revival/stories/201406220099#ixzz35Mc3SbbO