Odd ballers: The cult next door
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The Benton Harbor commune known as the Israelite House of David is a fascinating chapter in American religious and cultural history, blending spiritual ambition with public spectacle. Founded in 1903, the community grew out of a religious movement that began in late 18th-century England, with members—mostly Anglo-American or European Christians — identifying spiritually as Israelites. The House of David gained national fame for its accomplished baseball team, amusement park, and touring musical acts. At its peak in 1918, it counted more than 1,000 members—all of whom gave up their assets and personal agency in search of a better way of life.
Historian Evelyn Sterne captures the rise and collapse of this unusual community in her book The House of David: Salvation, Scandal, and Survival in a Modern American Commune. Through her research, she explores how the group achieved nationwide fame before spiraling into chaos.
Of all their ventures, the House of David’s baseball team is the most enduring symbol. Instantly recognizable by their long hair and unshaven beards (a distinctive feature of the Benton Harbor sect), the team traveled across the country winning a significant majority of their games. They also incorporated comedy-style antics similar to the Harlem Globetrotters (though it is said they preceded them), creating a unique blend of sport and showmanship.
Music was another cornerstone of community life. With both an orchestra and a jazz band, the House of David performed shows across the nation, carrying their reputation far beyond Benton Harbor. At home, they built a full-fledged amusement park, Eden Springs, that quickly became a tourist attraction for Chicago families seeking weekend recreation.
Yet, for all their public achievements, the community’s legacy is equally tied to scandal. Near the end of his life, founder Benjamin Purnell was placed on trial for fraud and accused of engaging in sexual relations with young women in the commune. The allegations cast a long shadow over the group, reshaping its national image.
Today, only three members of the House of David survive—two from the original community and one from an offshoot called Mary’s City of David, formed by Purnell’s wife. Their work now centers on preserving the commune’s history.
For visitors to Benton Harbor, the remnants of the movement remain visible. Abandoned buildings stand as a ghostly reminder of what once was—a thriving, insular world that blurred the line between utopian dream and cautionary tale. Walking through the grounds, it’s hard not to feel the strange gravity of a place that once drew thousands but now exists as memory and ruin.
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