When it comes to the religious history of Ulster County, there are few names more recognizable than that of Father Divine — the mark that he and his church left on the history of our area is undeniable.

A new musical on the controversial Harlem minister is coming to the Old Dutch Church this Sunday, June 19 at 3 p.m.

‘What’s in a Name?’, a new ‘faux documentary’, written by Michael Monasterial, and featuring Adele Calcavecchio and Brett Owen among others, is set in 1935, when Father Divine met with political leaders, such as FDR and NYC’s Mayor LaGuardia. He was also investigated by J. Edgar Hoover over several years, and the play delves into this time-frame.

Father Divine, also referred to as Reverend Major Jealous Divine, was the founder and leader of the religious movement known as the International Peace Mission Movement (IPMM). Founded in New York City during the Great Depression of the 1930s, members of the IPMM soon began flocking to Ulster County after Divine proclaimed it the "Promised Land." The church bought its first property in New Paltz in 1935, and in the years following, acquired many other homes and businesses in the county, many of them centered around High Falls (including what is now Ollie’s Pizza). The church held properties around the county up until 1985, when its final property in Kingston was sold. While Divine is remembered by some as a smooth-talker who convinced his followers that he was God in the flesh, others remember him for his progressive ideas on race, namely his move away from segregation and his efforts to get laws protecting the rights of African Americans on the books.

The play has several scenes with Father Divine dealing with friends and enemies, spirituals and a couple of jazz melodies like "Accentuate the Positive" by Johnny Mercer, and some Cab Calloway, as well as vintage video footage. The audience will be invited to occasionally participate in the production.

‘What’s in a Name?’ is a production of Passing the Torch Through the Arts, with a suggested donation of $20. For more info, visit: www.passingthetorchthroughthearts.com, or call 845-901-6820.