Eleanor Lancaster

Reverend Eleanor Lancaster, affectionately known as Sister Eleanor, a Minister of the Word of God for 81 years, was promoted to glory on May 19, 2024. Your loving memories, thoughts, photos and videos are welcomed to be added to the Guest Book, or down below.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, in 1926, she was the daughter of Edwin Lancaster and Gladys (Muir). Eleanor grew up in a large family of 8 siblings during the height of the Great Depression: June (Hiemenz), Leroy, Edwin, Eleanor, Donald, Kenneth, Vera (Stubing) and Elaine (Hentges). Life was hard and food was scarce but the trials and tribulations of the times instilled a resiliency that served her well throughout her life. Music was a vital part of their home life. Her brothers sang and played guitar while she played harmonica and joined in the choruses. On a rare but special occasion, she would even bless a congregation with a song of praise before she ministered! Ultimately, at the age of 70, she even produced 3 worship and praise cassettes, which were distributed across the country.

Eleanor was drawn to serve the Lord from the early age of 16. She married and was blessed with two children, Sandy and Sid. At the age of 22, Eleanor received the gift of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. For seven years after that, Sister served in various areas of responsibility at her local church. The Lord impressed upon her that she was to begin praying for the sick. He showed her a vision of a great city that He called “Pittsburgh, PA” and directed her to minister there. A few years later, despite many challenges and difficulties, she determined to graduate from the four-year preparation L.I.F.E. Bible School in Los Angeles in 1957 and then proceeded to Pittsburgh. The Lord blessed her work mightily there where He worked wonderful miracles and confirmed His word with signs following.

While developing her ministry, Living Waters Ministry, Eleanor’s outreach expanded into the Radio ministry for many years primarily in Pennsylvania and Phoenix, Arizona. As strong spirited as she was, she took the time slot after Katherine Kuhlman’s on the radio. To her delight Katherine listened and called to give her spiritual advice and encouragement to keep on! Requests to minister across the country brought Sister Eleanor to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Kansas, California, to name a few. During and in preparation for these trips, she developed close, lifelong friendships to those assisting to fulfill her many ministerial needs at home and on the road. She eagerly ministered not only to small, inner city churches, or large Catholic or other interdenominational churches but also in state prisons and on an Indian Reservation. Sister Eleanor was even privileged to pastor in Phoenix and Black Canyon City, Arizona.

She was a devoted mother to her children Sandy and Sidney who preceded her in death. Her brothers and sisters preceded her in death. But even after the passing of all her beloved family, Eleanor maintained the working energy of someone half her age as she was fiercely determined to fulfill the ministry the Lord assigned to her. During her 81 actual years of ministry, the Lord used Eleanor for all the five-fold ministry areas: Evangelist, Preacher, Teacher, Pastor and Prophet. Since her travel requests were shortened, Sister Eleanor remained hard at work daily in her home ministry office. Several of her lifelong friends assisting as requested until the Lord called her home on May 19, 2024. Eleanor ran the course set before her: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”