Two episodes documenting the 50th anniversary banquets held at The Bible Institute in north Philadelphia on April 29th and 30th, 1996. These are a little longer than previous posts – 6-7 minutes each.

Sayville, Long Island (about 40 miles East of New York City) is where Father Divine’s ministry was transformed nearly overnight. In 1931, Father and Mother Divine (Peninniah) had purchased a house in the small white suburb of Sayville and there they held their Holy Communion banquet services where everyone was served “more than wine and a wafer.” In the middle of the depression, these multi-course feasts must have been miraculous. Visitors from all over, black and white, began arriving at 71 Macon Street, “the Home of the Soul,” to be fed and healed. The dancing and singing would often continue late into the evening. One night in 1932, there was a police raid on the house during a particulary spirited service. Father Divine and several followers were arrested. They were charged with disturbing the peace, but the case became about the white community’s fear of racial commingling. The events that followed turned Father Divine into a nationally known figure and brought tens of thousands to the belief that he was “God, condescended in a body.”

The Peace Mission banquet service always ends with spontaneous song and dance. During dessert (when four or five diffrent sweet dishes are passed around), followers and guests will stand and give testimonials of faith, praise Father Divine or simply give thanks. Between these testimonials (as dishes are collectively cleared from the table), someone will be inspired to sing. The Peace Mission has their own treasury of songs that span their history and draw on many musical traditions. There will be shouts of joy, clapping, dancing and sometimes a follower will be “moved by the spirit.” Miss Roma Graveur, a follower from Australia, talks about first connecting to Father Divine’s sense of ryhthm and then we see a lively night at The Circle Mission Church on Broad Street in Philadelphia – one of many 50th Anniverssary banquet services.

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