(RELIGION) BAKER GEORGE FATHER DIVINE United Peace Mission N

Sale 2271 - Lot 504

Price Realized: $ 780

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500

(RELIGION.) BAKER, GEORGE, "FATHER DIVINE." "United Peace Mission Nurses. And the Leaves of the Tree were for the Healing of the Nations." Home-made felt banner 61x31 inches, white with green, yellow and brown appliqué pieces depicting a lone green fir tree, with rays of light emanating from it; beneath which are two hands clasping-one white, the other brown. Someone has pinned several pin-backs from the Church to the banner. A few tiny moth-holes at the top in the blank background. Np, circa 1950's

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Father Divine, born George Baker (1876-1965), also known as Reverend M.J. Divine, was one of the first 20th century cult religious leaders, white or black. His full self-given name was Reverend Major Jealous Divine, also known as "The Messenger." He founded the International Peace Mission Movement in 1936, formulated its doctrine and oversaw its growth from a small and predominantly black congregation into a multi-racial and international church. Father Divine's claim to actually be God did attract criticism, but amazingly enough didn't slow down the movement. His flock included many important people, among them New York City's mayor, Fiorello Laguardia, who often publicly sought his advice and counsel.