After a time in Long Island, the movement’s high point may have been between 1932 and 1942 when Divine headquartered the group in Harlem. With his encouragement, Mission movement members purchased several hotel and building properties which they billed as “Heavens” and the group became one of the more land-rich spiritual groups in the nation.
Divine eventually built his sprawling 72-acre Woodmont estate just outside of Philadelphia. He operated the movement from the mansion from 1942 until his death in 1965. Jonestown cult leader Jim Jones attempted to wrestle control of the Peace Mission from Mother Divine, claiming to be a reincarnation of Father Divine.
The Mission movement is currently overseen by Mother Divine, Divine’s second wife. Around 18 devotees to Divine still live at the Woodmont estate with Mother Divine, and a handful of followers exist around the world today. The estate is a National Public Landmark and can be visited every Sunday from April to October for free. But in accordance with Father Divine’s wishes, there should be no “undue mixing of the sexes, no profanity, and modest dress is required.”
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Little Known Black History Fact: Father Divine was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
