Clyde Pitt Findlay
1900-1984
The Life of Clyde P. Findlay
Clyde Pitt Findlay was born January 14, 1900, in Springfield, Missouri, into a family with a strong preaching heritage. His grandfather, John Howarton Stephens, was a faithful gospel preacher who had moved to Springfield to preach for a loyal congregation that remained faithful when others became digressive. Even further back, his great-grandfather was also a preacher of the gospel. Thus, Clyde Findlay grew up in a family deeply committed to the restoration of New Testament Christianity.
In August of 1918, Findlay obeyed the gospel and was baptized by S. P. Fields. As a young man, however, he briefly became associated with the Christian Church. During this period he trained in youth work through the YMCA and eventually entered professional Boy Scout work at the age of twenty-three. For about ten years he served as a Boy Scout executive, directing summer camps, training scoutmasters, and conducting financial campaigns. This work took him to several states and gave him a lifelong interest in the development of young people.
During these years he also became involved in teaching first aid for the American Red Cross, a service he continued for approximately forty years. His experience in youth development would later greatly influence his work among churches of Christ.
Under the influence of faithful brethren such as L. R. Wilson and J. N. Armstrong, Clyde and his wife renounced their association with the Christian Church and returned to the New Testament church. In 1931, while in Belfry, Kentucky, Findlay began preaching the gospel, following in the footsteps of both his grandfather and great-grandfather.
From that time forward he devoted his life to gospel preaching and evangelism. He labored in many places across the United States and abroad, preaching in thirty-three states and eight different countries. For about four years he lived in Great Britain where he helped establish congregations in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Cardiff, Wales, becoming the first American missionary to work in those areas.
Brother Findlay served numerous congregations throughout his lifetime. Among his early works were preaching in the Kentucky and West Virginia mountain region and laboring with congregations such as Johnson and Dale in Springfield, Missouri, and the Carbondale church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At Carbondale the church experienced significant growth, with many additions during his time there.
His work was not limited to preaching alone. After earning two degrees in education, he became involved in training future preachers. He helped direct a school of preaching in Honolulu, served as the first president of Houston Christian Schools, and later organized and directed the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Evangelism in Knoxville, Tennessee. Through these efforts he helped train many men for gospel work.
Brother Findlay also had a deep concern for young people. Drawing on his background in scouting and youth leadership, he directed numerous Christian youth camps across several states and strongly emphasized youth development in congregational work.
Clyde Findlay married Lettie May St. Clair on October 11, 1919. They shared a long and devoted marriage and worked together faithfully in the Lord’s service. Sister Findlay was known as an active helper in the congregations where they labored, especially in teaching and children’s work. They had two sons, Robert Clyde Findlay and Donald Charles Findlay.
After decades of service to the Lord’s church as an evangelist, missionary, educator, and author, Clyde Pitt Findlay passed from this life on May 13, 1984, at the age of eighty-four following a sudden illness. Funeral services were conducted at the West Erwin Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas, and he was buried in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri.
Those who knew him remembered him as a dedicated and valiant soldier of the cross—a man who spent his life preaching the gospel, establishing congregations, training preachers, and helping guide young people toward Christian service.
Scott Harp, 03.07.2026
The Grand Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Saturday, March 10,
1956, p.6.
Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo, Colorado
Tuesday, August 15,
1961 p.2.
50TH Anniversary
The Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas
Wednesday, October, 8,
1969 p.27
Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo, Colorado
Saturday, October 8,
1960, p.6.
Earliest Report To Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate, May 28, 1931, p.656.
News And Notes
Report To Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate, June 28, 1934, p.624
Words Of Truth, Vol. 7, October 16, 1970, p.4.
Gospel Advocate Obituary — Clyde Pitt Findlay
It is with sadness and a sense of victory that we inform the brotherhood of the passing of a dedicated and valiant soldier of the Cross. Funeral services were conducted May 16 for Clyde P. Findlay at the building of the West Erwin Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas, with Perry Hall officiating. Burial was in Springfield, Mo. Brother Findlay died May 13 after a sudden illness.
Clyde Pitt Findlay was born to Thomas James Findlay of Scottish ancestry and Frances Josephine (Stephens) Findlay on Jan. 14, 1900, in Springfield, Mo. He was born again in August, 1918, when baptized by S. P. Fields. At the age of 23 he became a Boy Scout executive for about 10 years. During a 40-year period he was a Lay Instructor in First Aid for the American Red Cross. In this period of time, brother Findlay also directed many Christian youth camps in about six states.
On Oct. 11, 1919, he was married to Lettie May St. Clair, daughter of Theodore Clinton St. Clair and Lucinda (Fountain) St. Clair. They were inseparable until the day of his death. Besides his widow, he is survived by a son, Robert Clyde Findlay of Arlington, Texas, and a son, Donald Charles Findlay of Tyler, Texas, six grandchildren and three great-grandsons.
In 1931 at Belfry, Ky., brother Findlay began following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John Howarton Stephens and a great-grandfather by the same name, preaching for churches of Christ. He preached in 33 states and eight countries, living in Great Britain about four years, establishing churches, as the first American missionary, in Edinburgh, Scotland and in Cardiff, Wales. He was the first full time preacher at Wilmington, Del., and Carbondale Church in Tulsa, Okla.
After attaining two degrees in the field of education, he directed (along with C. E. McGaughey) a school of preaching in Honolulu and was the first president of Houston Christian Schools. He organized and directed the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Evangelism of Knoxville, Tenn. He served the Lord and several congregations over a long ministry and was the author of many books.
Perry Hall., Rt. 14, Box 372, Tyler, TX 75707.
-Gospel Advocate, June 21, 1984, page 376.
Clyde P. Findlay Rites Pending
Services for Clyde P. Findlay, 84, Tyler, are pending with Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler.
Mr. Findlay died Sunday evening in a Tyler hospital after a sudden illness.
He was born Jan. 14, 1900, in Springfield, Mo., and lived in Tyler for a year. He was a former resident of Houston. He was a veteran of World War I and was an evangelist and missionary for the Church of Christ.
At the age of 23, he became a Boy Scout executive at Wichita, Kan., and continued in that profession for about 10 years. During a 40-year period, he directed many youth camps in six states. He was a lay instructor in first aid for the American Red Cross throughout his career.
In 1931, he began following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather by preaching for Church of Christ churches in the U.S. and Great Britain. He served in two-thirds of the state and established congregations in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Cardiff, Wales.
After obtaining two degrees in education, he helped direct a school of preaching in Honolulu and was the first president of Houston Christian schools. He organized and directed the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Evangelism of Knoxville, Tenn.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Lettie May Findlay, Tyler; two sons, Robert Findlay, Arlington, and Donald C. Findlay, Hide-A-Way Lake; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
-Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas, Tuesday, May 15, 1984, p.8.
Directions To Grave
Clyde P. Findley is buried in the Eastlawn Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. In Springfield take State Hwy 65 south of I-44 and take the E. Mill St. exit. Turn right (west) on E. Mill St. (Bus 65). When the fourlane begins bending to your right turn right on E. Pythian St. The cemetery will be on your right. Enter to the right and in front of the office bear to the right. As you begin the make your way behind the funeral home you will see the Garden of Serenity on your left. The Findley monument is facing the drive in that section. GPS is actual location of grave below.
GPS Location
37°13'00.6"N 93°15'07.2"W
or D.d. 37.216838, -93.252000
FINDLAY
Clyde Pitt - January 14, 1900 - May 13, 1984
Lettie May - February 22, 1901 - December 17, 1987
Photos Taken May 5, 2025
Webpage produced on March 7, 2026
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
Special Recognition: Your webeditor was first introduced to the name of Clyde P. Findlay by my good friend and Scottish missionary brother, Graham McDonald. In 2004 Graham and I traveled thousands of miles together raising funds and reconnecting with his supporters. During our time together he talked about the work of Clyde P. Findlay and his role in building up the churches of Scotland. Twenty one years later I was able to locate and visit the graves of Clyde P. and Lettie May Findlay while visiting in Missouri for a Gospel Meeting in Lebanon in May, 2025. After researching Findlay's life, it is easy to see how he meant so much to the memory of Graham McDonald and the good people of Scotland. Thanks Graham for telling me about this great man of God.