A church built on faith, fire hoses, and 'Sweet Daddy'

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 November 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The United House of Prayer for All People, founded by a Cape Verdean immigrant, grew into a movement with 27,500-50,000 members, street baptisms, and a leader who called himself 'Sweet Daddy.' What made this church so powerful—and so controversial?

Born Marcelino Manuel da Graca, Grace began his ministry in New Bedford, Massachusetts, after immigrating to the U.S. in 1904. His church, rooted in Holiness-Pentecostal theology, emphasized daily services, speaking in tongues, and faith healing, which became central to its identity. Grace’s early ministry included traveling along the East Coast, holding tent meetings, and conducting mass baptisms at lakesides, which helped spread his message and attract followers.

Grace’s leadership was marked by an autocratic style, with followers referring to him as 'Sweet Daddy,' a term derived from biblical references to spiritual fatherhood. His movement expanded rapidly, with over 100 houses of prayer established across the U.S., predominantly serving African American communities. Grace’s wealth, generated from selling products like soap and toothpaste, allowed him to purchase mansions and properties, further solidifying his influence. The church’s financial success also enabled Grace to fund extensive missionary efforts, expanding the movement’s reach beyond the United States.

The church’s practices, including public street baptisms conducted by fire hose and annual 'Memorial Day' parades, drew both admiration and controversy. While some called it a 'cult,' Grace was never convicted of a crime. His legacy is complex: a leader who combined spiritual fervor with commercial success, and whose movement continues to operate with 137 places of worship and a national headquarters in Washington, D.C. The church’s name is rooted in biblical references, drawing from Isaiah 56:7 and Acts 4:10–12 to emphasize its theological foundation and mission. Grace’s leadership style, which he justified through biblical analogies, positioned him as both a spiritual father and a prophetic figure, reinforcing his authority within the movement.

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