Once owned by the infamous ‘Father Divine,’ this castle-like Westchester home is asking $5.49 million for sale

There’s something heavenly about this Tudor-style home in Tarrytown, New York.

The turreted stone mansion was once owned by Father Divine, the 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 an initial 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 ice rink facilities in the US.

Born about 1880 in Georgia or Maryland, the former homeowner, 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 documentary filmmaker Lenny Feinberg.

But Divine’s legacy was complicated, as the 5ft 2in preacher – who wore $500 silk suits, drove a Rolls-Royce and had 1 million followers worldwide – was also a cult leader whose followers believed he was God, according to his 1965 New York Times obituary.

Divine purchased the property, which was then 70 acres, for $36,000 cash from Leo S. Bing, of Bing & Bing, prominent New York developers.

The New York Times in 1940 described the purchase as a “heavenly abode, standing like a feudal castle in 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 grand foyer, cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, walk-in closets, picture windows, a formal dining room and a chef’s kitchen with a large walk-in pantry.

There is also a three-bedroom, two-bathroom carriage house with a five-car garage that is convenient for guests or property caretakers.

A pool on the property overlooks the Hudson River; there is also a pickle field.

Part of a gated community, the residence features views of the Hudson River from the highest point of Greystone on Hudson – a new development of 23 turn-of-the-century inspired properties.

This structure, however, is historic and not a new construction. The development sits 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 down in the 1970s.

The listing agents are Elizabeth Hargraves, Bernadette Haley and Maria Carlino, of Julia B Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.