Religion / Press & broadcasting
Prophet Jones
1907–1971 · pastor, televangelist and faith healer
Flamboyant preacher who founded the Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, in Detroit and became the first Black preacher in the city with a weekly TV show.
- Born
Birmingham, Alabama- Died
aged 63- Birth name
- James Francis Marion Jones
- Also known as
- James F. Jones
- Detroit years
- 1938–1971
- Field
- Religion, Press & broadcasting
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
James F. Jones was a child preacher in Alabama's Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, ordained at 18. In 1938 the church sent him to Detroit as a missionary, and he quickly built one of the largest Black Pentecostal followings in the city, preaching on radio across the Midwest over Windsor's CKLW. In 1944 he broke away and founded his own Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, which began in Black Bottom and later settled at Ferry Park. Styling himself the Universal Dominion Ruler, he presided from a canopied throne, led all-night services, claimed healing powers and asked followers to celebrate his birthday in place of Christmas, while living in a mansion on East Ferry Avenue. In 1955 he began a Sunday night program on WXYZ-TV, the first weekly television show hosted by a Black Detroit preacher. His fame faded after scandals in the 1950s. He died in 1971 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Highlights
- Founded the Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, in Detroit in 1944
- Broadcast sermons over CKLW radio across the Midwest
- First Black Detroit preacher with a weekly TV show (WXYZ-TV, 1955)
- Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Buried here · 1971–
Woodlawn Cemetery
Historic North Woodward cemetery where he was buried in 1971.
Lived here · 1944–1950s
Prophet Jones parsonage, East Ferry Avenue
Status being checked
Three-story mansion that served as his first Detroit parsonage, within the East Ferry Avenue Historic District.