Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
There’s something heavenly about this Tarrytown, New York, Tudor-style home.
The turreted stone residence was once owned by the infamous Father Divine, founder and leader of the Peace Mission Movement. The property, at 11 Carriage Trail, is now on the market for $5.49 million — down from its original ask of $6.99 million last year.
The current seller is Shane Coppola, chairman and CEO of American Sports Entertainment Company, which owns and operates US ice rink facilities.
Born around 1880 in either Georgia or Maryland, the home’s former owner, aptly named Divine, was an American spiritual leader from 1907 until his death in 1965. He is considered an American civil rights pioneer who fought for desegregation, as well as for gender and economic equality.
He was also the subject of the 2017 film “Father’s Kingdom,” directed by the documentarian Lenny Feinberg.
But Divine’s legacy was complicated, as the 5-foot-2-inch preacher — who dressed in $500 silk suits, drove a Rolls-Royce and had 1 million followers worldwide — was also a cult leader whose disciples believed he was God, according to his 1965 New York Times obituary.
Divine bought the estate, which was then on 70 acres, for $36,000 in cash from Leo S. Bing, of Bing & Bing, the renowned New York developers.
The New York Times in 1940 described the purchase as a “celestial abode, standing like a feudal castle above the trees.”
The six-bedroom residence is 15,456 square feet and now sits on 5.56 acres. Built in 1926, it also comes with seven bathrooms and two powder rooms. Details include a large foyer, cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, walk-in closets, skylights, a formal dining room and an eat-in chef’s kitchen with a large pantry.
There’s also a three-bedroom, two-bath carriage house with a five-car garage that is well suited for guests or estate caretakers.
A pool on the property overlooks the Hudson River; there’s also a pickleball court.
Part of a gated community, the residence features Hudson River views from the highest point of Greystone on Hudson — a new development of 23 turn-of-the-century-inspired estates.
This structure, however, is historic and not a new build. The development stands on the site of Greystone Castle, which was also once owned by John D. Rockefeller’s partner in Standard Oil, Josiah Macy, until it burned to the ground in the 1970s.
The listing brokers are Elizabeth Hargraves, Bernadette Haley and Maria Carlino, of Julia B Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.