A movement led by the charismatic Father Divine, advocating racial equality and communal living.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Peace Mission Movement
Founder: Father Divine (George Baker)
Founded: 1919
Location: United States
Other Names: Peace Mission, International Peace Mission, Peace Mission Movement Church, Father Divine’s Peace Mission
Website: peacemission.info
The International Peace Mission Movement, founded in the early 20th century by Father Divine, born George Baker, was a distinctive American communitarian religion that saw its apex during the Great Depression. Father Divine, an African American minister, was venerated by his followers as an embodiment of God, advocating for racial integration, economic self-sufficiency, and strict moral codes. This movement not only attracted attention for its religious beliefs but also for its early stance on civil rights, social justice, and its unique approach to addressing economic disparities during one of America’s most challenging periods.
Father Divine, who regarded himself as the incarnation of God, developed the International Peace Mission Movement around principles that countered many societal norms. He preached the unity of races, celibacy outside of marriage, communal living, and economic independence, principles that were revolutionary for their time. The movement’s communal living facilities, known as “heavens,” embodied Father Divine’s vision of a desegregated society and were established across the United States, including prominent locations in Harlem, New York, and later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the movement’s headquarters were eventually established.
Father Divine’s economic strategies were innovative, emphasizing collective ownership and operation of businesses, pooling resources, and living without reliance on government assistance or credit. His followers adhered to an “International Modest Code,” which dictated a lifestyle free from smoking, drinking, profanity, and immodest dressing, reflecting the movement’s emphasis on purity and discipline.
The Peace Mission extended its influence internationally, with missions in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries. Despite facing legal and societal challenges, including accusations of being a cult, the Peace Mission Movement managed to establish successful businesses and provide jobs and housing for its followers, adhering to Father Divine’s teachings of self-sufficiency and communal support.
After Father Divine’s death in 1965, the movement continued under the leadership of his second wife, Edna Rose Ritchings, known as Sweet Angel. Despite its decline in the latter half of the 20th century, the International Peace Mission Movement remains a significant example of a religious movement that transcended mere spiritual guidance to address societal injustices and offer practical solutions to economic and racial challenges.
image via blackpast
