EP05 The House of David Commune and other C Words

Welcome to Girls Just Wanna Get Haunted, and thank you for following along with us. This week, we’re heading to Benton Harbor, Michigan, to explore the strange and tangled story of the House of David. What started as a quiet religious commune in the early 1900s grew into a thriving, tightly controlled community with its own beliefs, industries, and controversies.The group’s founders, Benjamin and Mary Purnell, claimed a prophetic legacy that drew in hundreds of devoted followers. But behind the polished image were rumors, accusations, and a public scandal that shook the entire colony and split it into factions that still linger in small traces today.In this episode, we dig into the origins, the rise, the unraveling, and the lasting impact of one of Michigan’s most unusual and haunting communities. Join us as we open the gates to the House of David and step inside its complicated past.RESEARCH RABBIT HOLES WE FELL DOWN...Images of America: The House of David by Christopher SirianoFacebook – Israelite House of David: https://www.facebook.com/israelitehouseofdavid/Detroit Free Press – House of David in Benton Harbor: https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/john-carlisle/2016/11/13/house-of-david-benton-harbor/93069448/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z114121u116521e1123xxv114121&gca-ft=254&gca-ds=sophiAmerican Heritage – “The House of David: The Midwest Cult That Was Really Good at Baseball”: https://www.americanheritage.com/house-david-midwest-cult-was-really-good-baseballNew York Times Archive – “King Purnell Dies; Resurrection Fails”: https://www.nytimes.com/1927/12/20/archives/king-purnell-dies-resurrection-fails-cult-heads-followers-wait.htmlSupport the showThank you for supporting our podcast! We appreciate each and every person who gives us a listen. If you like what you hear, follow our socials for more spooky content.YouTube: Girls Just Wanna Get HauntedTiktok: GirlsJustWannaGetHauntedInstagram: @GirlsJustWannaGetHauntedEmail: [email protected] our adventures: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JustWannaGetHaunted