Father Divine

For the album by Mike Ladd, see Father Divine (album).

Father Divine
Father Divine in 1938
Bornc. 1876
Hutchinson Island, Georgia or Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
DiedSeptember 10, 1965(1965-09-10) (aged 89)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OccupationPreacher
Spouse(s)1st: Penninah Divine[1]
2nd: Edna Rose Ritchings

Father Divine (c. 1876 – September 10, 1965), also known as Reverend M. J. Divine, was an American spiritual leader[2] from about 1907 until his death in 1965. His full self-given name was Reverend Major Jealous Divine, and he was also known as "the Messenger" early in his life. He founded the International Peace Mission movement, formed its doctrine and oversaw its growth from a small and predominantly black congregation into a multiracial and international church. Many consider him to be a cult leader since he claimed to be God.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hoshor1936 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ John Gordon Melton (September 10, 1965). "Father Divine (American religious leader)". Britannica.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009 – via Britannica Online Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference life19361207 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).