The Civil Rights Leader You’ve Never Heard Of

Father M.J. Divine’s role as a forerunner of the Civil Rights Movement is often overlooked and even dismissed. Although he’d been actively working toward racial integration and harmony long beforehand, the Harlem Riot of 1935 seems to have served as a catalyst. As at...

Father Divine’s Kingdom of Heavens on Earth

At its peak during the Great Depression, the International Peace Mission Movement had about 150 centers, called “Heavens,” spread across the globe, with the majority based in America. Each Heaven was established as a desegregated communal living facility — a haven for...

The Divine Mystery

When Father Divine died on Sept. 10, 1965, members of the press were not admitted to Woodmont, home of the International Peace Mission movement in Gladwyne, Pa. Throngs of faithful gathered there to pay their respects. News media stationed outside the gates...

‘Father’s Kingdom’ to Debut at 2017 DOC NYC Film Festival

“Father’s Kingdom,” the new documentary by MAJ Productions, has been selected to make its world premiere at the 2017 DOC NYC film festival, which runs from Nov. 9-16. The film explores the groundbreaking work of International Peace Mission founder Father M.J. Divine,...