The Last Sermon

Marcy receives a mysterious email, which answers some questions but raises more. And she finally speaks to someone who knew Daddy Grace personally.

What’s the Matter With Daddy?

From the time Daddy Grace founded the United House of Prayer in 1919, his life was not without controversy: from his appearance, to how much money he made (and the taxes he paid – or didn’t pay), to suspicions of Communism, and worse. In fact, Daddy Grace seemed to be constantly battling the US gov…

The House That Daddy Built

Daddy Grace’s relationship with money – how much he seemed to have, how his followers practically threw cash at him – bothered many people outside the church, including Marcy’s  relatives. But what was all that money used for? Sure, Daddy Grace had fancy cars and custom made suits. But in a time wh…

Bonus – Shout Music: Conversation with Lovett Hines

One of Daddy Grace’s lasting legacies is shout music: specifically, the horn-driven shout bands, whose presence – even today – is a constant at almost all United House of Prayer functions. In this week’s bonus episode, Marcy sits down with Lovett Hines, Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Clef Cl…

I Came From the Land Beyond the Sea

As a child, Marcy was never allowed to attend a United House of Prayer service — her family told her it was taboo. But the church — which Daddy Grace founded in 1919 — is still going strong. So what’s going on?  Why did Daddy Grace want to start his own church in the first place? How did he manage …

I Am a Colorless Bishop

Both Daddy Grace’s family and Marcy’s family came to America from the same Cape Verdean island. And they landed in a place where many Cape Verdeans did – New Bedford, Massachusetts. But why did they immigrate? What pushed them toward America? And once then arrived, did they find the American Dream …

Sweet Daddy Grace: The Gospel According to Daddy

Since she was a little girl, Marcy DePina felt drawn to a man called Daddy Grace, a charismatic immigrant from Cabo Verde, West Africa, who – during the violent Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras – traveled around the United States preaching, healing, and building his megachurch.  But who was Daddy …

Introducing: Sweet Daddy Grace