On this day in 1904, James Francis Marion Jones is born in Birmingham, Alabama. As Prophet Jones, he will become an internationally renowned, charismatic and flamboyant religious leader who founds the Church of Universal Triumph, the Dominion of God, Inc. in 1938 in Great Depression-crippled Detroit. Jones, at one time, will claim to have six million followers and will reside in a luxurious mini mansion, located at 75 Arden Park in the Boston-Edison community. Like his contemporaries Sweet Daddy Grace and Father Divine, Jones will command a huge following. So much so that Life magazine will feature him in a 1944 multipage spread with plenty of pictures. One photo caption will read: “The Prophet parts with photographs of himself, especially blessed for the home and guaranteed to ward off evil. They are available to anyone in return for a $5 donation.” During his homegoing service in 1971 about 15,000 people will pay their final respect. More than 2,000 will attend the three-hour service held in the Adlai Stevenson Building Auditorium on the city’s west side. At least two dozen religious leaders from 36 states and the West Indies will attend the service. The Michigan Chronicle will report that Jones representatives are actively seeking financial assistance to help with his burial expenses. #On This Day: African American Life in Detroit
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:16:12 +0000
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