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United House of Prayer for All People collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS2231

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains jewelry, portraits, magazines, and ephemera related to the United House of Prayer for All People and Bishops C.M. Grace, known as Sweet Daddy Grace and Walter McCollough, known as Daddy McCollough. The Grace Magazine and House of Prayer Quarterly include Bible study and numerous testimonials of the healing capabilities of Sweet Daddy Grace. All the pieces of jewelry have images of either Daddy Grace or Daddy McCollough. The material dates from 1944-55 although the jewelry and portraits are not dated.

Dates

  • 1944-1955

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

The United House of Prayer for All People is a Church founded from the Pentecostal movement by Charles Manuel Grace (Marcelino Manuel da Graca) (1882?-1960), who proclaimed himself as "Bishop" in 1919. Marcelino Manuel da Graca was born in Brava Verde in the Cape Verde Islands. C. M. Grace was known as Sweet Daddy Grace. Following his death in 1960, Walter McCollough assumed the position of Bishop. He died in 1991 after which the current Bishop S.C. Madison assumed the role of Church leader.

In 1919 Bishop Grace built the first United House of Prayer For All People in West Wareham, Massachusetts, and incorporated the United House of Prayer for All People in Washington, D.C. in 1927. As of 2007, The United House of Prayer for All People has over 100 places of worship in 23 states. The National Headquarters for the church is located in Washington, D.C. As seen on the Church's website the purpose of the organization is " . . . to establish maintain and perpetuate the doctrine of Christianity and the Apostolic Faith throughout the world among all people; To erect and maintain houses of prayer and worship where all people may gather for prayer and to worship the Almighty God in spirit and in truth, irrespective of denomination or creed, and to maintain the Apostolic Faith of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

The headquarters located at 601 M Street NW is listed as a site in the Cultural Tourism DC African American Trail database. The description of the church includes the following "One of the first United House of Prayer churches opened in 1929 at 601 M Street, NW. It joined a number of storefront churches born during the Great Depression (1929-1939). Grace's theology was based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Old Testament, as well as the power of the Holy Ghost. Grace was a charismatic leader who amassed a great fortune. Many of his followers joined the church while experiencing one of the many revivals and baptisms that Grace offered throughout the country. He was known for his flamboyant style, evidenced by his green and purple coats with gold trimmings, his long fingernails painted red, white, and blue, and his flowing hair. During the 1950s, he lived at 11 Logan Circle, NW. Bishop Walter McCullough succeeded Grace. Under his leadership, the church built low-rent housing projects throughout the city, including McCullough Canaanland Apartments, Paradise Gardens, and McCullough Haven for senior citizens, all in the Shaw neighborhood. "

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains magazines and jewelry related to the history of the United House of Prayer for All People, the founder Bishop C.M. Grace (Sweet Daddy Grace) and Bishop Walter McCollough (Daddy McCollough).

Collection Organization

Organized into two series: Papers and Jewelry

Acquisition Information

For most of this material the acquisition information is not available and it may have come in over time for various sources. Most of the jewelry was a gift of Marie Dallam, 2007 (Accession 2007.055).

Title
Guide to the United House of Prayer for All People collection, 1944-1955
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2007
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America