A. E. Bloom

Alex E. Bloom (Sweden, 1868--December 15, 1940, Santa Rosa, California). Advent Christian. Having immigrated as a child, he was converted in a Salvation Army service and began preaching soon after his baptism by Advent Christian Elder J. August Smith. He assisted Elder G.W. Sederquist in a series of meetings in the Green Street Tabernacle, Chicago, where he later served as pastor. In addition, he was a member of the Mission Band of the Moody Church of Chicago.

After having been licensed for a time, he was ordained by the Advent Christian Conference of Northern Illinois, meeting in Genoa, on March 7, 1892. After a period as an itinerant minister in Wisconsin, he held pastorates in Fairfield, Cobb, Mifflin, Monticello, and LaValle, where he stayed for many years. He was then pastor in Annandale, Minnesota, for eight years; Buchanan, Michigan for seven years; and finally at Blessed Hope Advent Christian Church, Chicago. Thereafter he did evangelistic work in West Virginia, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. His last days were spent in Santa Rosa, California.

Bloom wrote many hymns, most of which were published in The Golden Sheaf, No. 1. He was the compiler of Songs of Faith and Hope (Mendota, Ill: Hope Press, 1926). Shortly before his death, he was honored by the Christian Burden Bearers's Society as a prolific author and for this 48 years of gospel ministry.

--Moses C. Crouse, DNAH Archives