"Daddy Grace Is My Salvation": Bishop Grace and The United House of Prayer for All People

The year 1937 was a difficult for the Peace Mission Movement. Founded by a leader known as “Father Divine”, the organization gained notoriety in the 1920s for hosting “Holy Communion Banquets” in Saville, NY. In 1937, the Peace’s Mission Movement’s rise hit several speed bumps. Former members filed civil suits demanding a return of donated items. When three men attempted to serve legal summons to Father Divine, a fight broke out. Two of the men were injured and one was stabbed. Father Divine fled the scene, but was found days later hiding in a Peace Mission Location in Connecticut. During the time of his disappearance, Faithful Mary defected and created her own splinter group. She wrote a book claiming that Father Divine sexually abused and financially exploited his members. Fights and several suspected arsons occurred as followers of Faithful Mary and Father Divine fought each other. John the Revelator caused more bad publicity for the organization when he was charged and convicted for violations of the Mann Act. After leading a missionary meeting in Colorado on behalf of Father Divine, John seduced the 17 year old daughter of a local couple and took her to New York. It seemed like matters couldn’t get any worse until another famous religious leader learned about Father Divine. Known by his followers as “Daddy Grace”, he was personally offended by the fact that Father Divine claimed to be God. By 1938, he was in a position to show the strength of his movement.