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Father Divine

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Father Divine

Description of the Father Divine Collection

Father Divine's International Peace Mission Movement is based at Woodmont outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its leader Reverend Major Jealous Divine, usually called Father Divine, began attracting followers in the American South during the 1910s. By 1919 the movement was based at Sayville, New York; and in 1933 Father Divine established a headquarters in Harlem. Followers recognize Father Divine as God, and revere his wife Mother Divine, who still resides at Woodmont. Members are celibate and reject racial categorizations. Many of them lived in large hotel buildings called "heavens." The movement is celebrated for its sumptuous banquets. In 1962 Father Divine moved to Woodmont, a National Historic Landmark, which is open to the public and also the location of museum and library.

 

Research on site at Hamilton College

To schedule a research visit, please contact us in advance.

Christian Goodwillie, Director and Curator of Special Collections and Archives
E-mail: cgoodwil (at) hamilton (dot) edu
Telephone: (315) 859-4447

Special Collections
Burke Library
198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323
Regular hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Materials Digitized - listed below

  • The New Day, vol. 1:19 (July 20, 1937) - vol. 4:52 (Dec. 26, 1940), [More vols. to come]
  • The Spoken Word, vols. 1-3 (1932-1936)
  • World Echo, vol. 1 (1934)
The new day
A weekly periodical published by the Father Divine Peace Mission beginning in 1937. This website currently contains vol. 1, no. 19 (July 20, 1937) - vol. 4, no. 52 (Dec. 26, 1940)., Digital resource provided by the Hamilton College Library, Clinton, New York, Courtesy of the Peace Mission Movement of Father Divine, Woodmont, Pennsylvania.
The spoken word
​A​ weekly newspaper published by​ the​ ​International Peace Mission Movement​ founded by Reverend Major Jealous Divine​ (​Father Divine​)​​, of Harlem, New York.​ Published from 1930-1950. This website contains vol. 1, no. 1 (October 20, 1934) - vol. 3, no. 20 (December 26, 1936). Vol. 3, nos. 20-81 are in preparation.
World echo
A weekly periodical published by the World Echo Publishing Company beginning in 1934. This website currently contains vol. 1, no. 19 (January 6, 1934) - vol. 1, no. 15 (April 14, 1934).