Mother Urquhart

Martha Ann Urquhart was born on April 24th, 1929 in Danville, Virginia, to Susie Baystop and John Clark. She was educated in the North Carolina/Virginia public-school system. At an early age she relocated with her family from Danville, Virginia to Philadelphia, PA. After relocating to Philadelphia, she met and later married her late husband, Moses Roy Urquhart where they were united in holy matrimony for 52 years. There she began her most rewarding careers: wife, mother and homemaker. This union was blessed with 8 children. Martha’s children remember her as a loving, caring, praying, God-fearing woman, with great patience and incredible faith. Martha was the epitome of Proverbs 31:28, “Her Children arise up and call her blessed… Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” It was because of Martha’s faith that they established their own relationships with God.

The love she had for God didn’t only impact her family but it also greatly impacted the community where she and Moses resided. For over 50 years, Martha shared the ministry of God freely and was often called upon for prayer. Martha’s demonstration of strong faith and consistent prayer caused lives to be changed, revolutionized and discipled to Holy Temple Holiness Church. Martha wasn’t only a praying woman of God but she was also known to make delicious hot apple pie and mouthwatering pot of cabbage and stings beans, which she grew in her own back yard.

There were three things that Martha valued dearly, God, Family and Community. She began her journey of salvation in the year of 1954 under the leadership of her brother-in-law, Bishop Abraham Urquhart at Holy Temple Holiness Church; there Martha was licensed as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Martha’s inseparable bond with her sisters compelled them to also join Holy Temple in worship for 4 tenures of leadership, which concluded with her grandson, Overseer Hasan Urquhart. She proudly served there until she was promoted to glory. Minister Martha will be remembered for her fiery messages of prayer, holiness and repentance.

Martha was reunited with her late husband Moses and preceded in death by her son, Ernie and her daughter, Annette Urquhart; her brothers, Walter, James (Jimmy), and William Clark. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her children, Neil (Vanetta), Ricky (Gloria), Amanda (James), Jacqueline (Marshall), Rodney and Virgil (Joyce), 33 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.