Not Quite So Divine

7/28/2025

by M.P. Pellicer | Stranger Than Fiction Stories
Construction of St. John the Divine Cathedral in Harlem, New York commenced with a cornerstone-laying ceremony on December 27, 1892, St. John's Day. Over a thousand people were in attendance. None attending on that winter day would believe that 130 years later it would still be incomplete.

St. John the Apostle

The church was dedicated to John the Evangelist or John the Apostle (6 A.D. - 100 A.D.) the author of the Gospel of John. His feast day according to the Catholic Church, Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Calendar is December 27, the third day of Christmastide, and it marks mid-winter. Back to the 18th century, Freemasons celebrate this feast day to install Grand Masters.

St. John is traditionally pictured with a snake or an eagle. The eagle stands for his spiritual insight and the ability to see beyond the immediate. He is also pictured holding a chalice with a snake inside. This is based on a legend that John was offered a cup of poisoned wine, which he blessed and converted the poison into a harmless snake.

The cathedral was built on the site of the Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum, located between West 110th Street and West 113th Street in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. This site, which was deeded to the cathedral in October 1891 after the asylum relocated to Yonkers.

Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum just after it was sold to the trustees of the St John the Divine Church c.1892

The Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum was founded in 1831 in New York City, established using funds from the estate of John George Leake, a New York lawyer who died at the age of 75 never having wed, thereby with no heir. There was mention in his will in which he hoped to build an orphanage. The institution moved to its permanent home in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, in 1843. The grounds of the asylum engulfed 50-acres in the area that today would roughly be Amsterdam Avenue to Morningside Drive, and from 109th to 113th Street.

The asylum cared for orphans, primarily between the ages of three and twelve, providing them with education and, at age fourteen, helping to place them in Christian homes. The orphanage operated on the site until the late 19th century, when it sold its land to the trustees of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

On March 21, 1847. "The bill authorizing the Trustee of the Leaks and Watt Orphan House to bind out the orphans as apprentices in other States, was passed."

"Binding out" was a euphemism for indenturing them to farmers, factory owners, and the like. They were paid only in shelter and food. Most of those who were bound out were boys, and some were well treated by the home where they were received, but others were treated with great cruelty. If their placement did not work out, only the streets awaited them since the orphanage only kept children until the age of 13.

What happened to those who were not "binded" out is never specified

In 1924 the wall of the Cathedral was only feet away from the orphanage's rear portico

In 1859, Mary Dunlop, 24, arrived in New York from Scotland. Her uncle Hugh McAlpine, a blacksmith took her in. Six months later she was hired at the asylum as a seamstress.

On September 6, 1861 Mary was ill for a few days; this is when her secret started to unravel and brought scandal to the orphanage. She confided in a co-worker that her uncle had "abused her and caused her ruin." She was pregnant by him, and her sickness was caused by a botched abortion. Instead of going to a hospital, she went to her uncles home at 643 Hudson Street, where she died on September 15.

The family attempted a hurried burial within hours of her death, but officials learned of what happened and the coroner took the body.

Despite cause of death listed as "disease of the heart" the coroner found there was evidence of an abortion. At the inquest her co-workers told of her confession and what led to her death. It was found the uncle had seduced her, but there was no testimony to support he was involved in the abortion, or procuring it for her. The jury gave the verdict of: "Metro-peritonitis supervening upon abortion, induced in a manner unknown to this Jury." None were held responsible for the sad fate of Mary Dunlop.

In 1879, the Sanitary Committee made an inspection of the orphanage. It was well run, but it was reported that it lacked "all the modern appliances for ventilation, sewerage, &c., and though it has a magnificent annual income, no effort has been made during those years to improve the sanitary condition of the place." Raw sewage was caught in a cistern from water closets in the building and dumped into the street, and the outhouses had not been emptied in two years.

Masonic World publication c.March 1925

St. John the Divine was designed for the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The structure was built in fits and starts, and despite its unfinished status, it's claimed as the world's largest cathedral.

Its aim one was to outdo the Catholic Church's majestic marble St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The church was built directly behind the orphanage structure and over the years eventually abutted up again the rear portico.

Those who were funding the construction, as well as those who designed it hid masonic symbols in plain sight, aware the general public would not recognize the meanings behind it.

JP Morgan and the Grand Master of the Masons of New York, featured it on the front page of Masonic World March 1925.

The article stated:

It is particularly fitting that the Masons, who were the principal builders of cathedrals and churches during the greatest cathedral-building period, should now have a prominent part in the movement to build America’s greatest cathedral (…) Little need be added to the story of Freemasonry during the cathedral-building period; its monuments are its best history, alike of its genius, its faith and its symbols.

The consecration of the choir. c.April 19, 1911

Freemasonry is a secret society with practices based on ancient mysteries. Their teachings are drawn from Babylonian, Egyptian, Kabballah and Gnostic cultures, all who predate the birth of Christ. However with the advent of the Christian era they were forced to hide their philosophies to escape persecution by the Church.

Freemasons, Rosicrucians and the Knights Templar have all been accused of devil worship at one time or another in their history. Most of these organizations have a hierarchy, and low-level members may identify as Christians, but once they seek to attain higher degrees such as in the Freemasons, they are required to study the tenets of the Mystery Religion. This is when they learn the true meaning of their symbols, which are often spoon fed to the public via artwork and architecture. They are in abundance in this cathedral.

Sculpture of the Moon in the forefront.

THE PORTAL OF PARADISE
Scenes of New York being destroyed in a cataclysmic episode decorate the western façade of the cathedral. Brooklyn Bridge collapses, launching vehicles into agitated waters and other landmarks are being destroyed. The Statue of Liberty sinks into the seas. A scene was added in 1997, showing the collapse of the Twin Towers; four years before 9/11. Close by are the Chrysler Building and the Citigroup Center.

Perhaps the depiction is not coincidental since St. John the Divine was credited for writing the Book of Revelation, which describes the apocalypse. New York is portrayed as being "Babylon the Great" that is destroyed by the wrath of God. A skeleton and strange creature, perhaps representing death and destruction cavort under the image of the New York Stock Exchange.

The Peace Fountain was erected by sculptor Greg Wyatt in 1985. It full of disturbing symbols.

THE PEACE FOUNTAIN
This sculpture depicts bizarre and grotesque imagery using mythical creatures. Animals emerge from a smiling sun, and the idol points to the east following ancient pagan tradition. A moon faces west. There is a quote from John Lennon that reads, ".... one day the world will live as one."

It was built in 1985 by artist Greg Wyatt. A crab, satan's decapitated head, nine giraffes and the double helix of DNA sprout beneath the winged Archangel Michael. A plaque on it describes it as a triumph of Good over Evil, but why use symbols that are so hard to interpret as such?

A skeletal bishop is part of the parade.

THE GRAND PROCESSION OF THE GHOULS
An annual event celebrated at the Church on Halloween is The Grand Procession of the Ghouls. It's a parade where people dress in costumes of ghosts, demons and other monsters. They walk around accompanied by macabre organ music. This is indeed a strange procession to be hosted at a Christian house of worship. Many of the figures seem to mock Christian rituals, a hallmark of satanic practices. Before the procession begins there is a screening of a classic silent horror film. One year it was the 1922 film, Nosferatu.

Blessing of animals led by robed participants c. Oct. 1985

THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS AND BICYCLES
Every September, another ritual that takes place at the cathedral is where animals are led inside the church by white-robed figures to be blessed. An article published in 1996 by the California Forestry Association described the scene: "…goats, horses and other animals are led to the alter to receive blessings. Camels and elephants walk the aisles as worshipers march to the alter with bowls of compost and worms."

There is an annual blessing of the bicycles, because why not. They don't fart methane, leave a carbon footprint and will only take you as far as your legs can stand the grind. How far is that?

Rev. Julia Whitworth leads the 16th Annual Blessing of the Bikes at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
In 1980, saxophonist Paul Winter was invited as an artist-in-residence at the cathedral. He has celebrated the Winter and Summer Solstices with musical events every year since then. The observance of the solstice predates Christianity, and even in modern times it is a pagan practice.

The last one celebrated occurred on June 21, 2025. It began at 4:30 a.m.

According to Paul Winter's website:

The winter solstice is the great turning point of the year. From time immemorial, people of the northern latitudes regarded this coldest and darkest time of the year with mingled foreboding and expectancy, for the longest night of the year was also the uncertain threshold of return towards the year’s fullness, when green things would grow again and life would be sustained. People felt a responsibility to participate in regenerative rituals to ensure the sun would wax again. Bonfires and candles, with their imitative magic, helped fortify the waning sun and ward off the spirits of darkness. These symbols live in our modern seasonal customs: the candles of Hanukkah and Christmas are kin to the fiery rites of old, which celebrated the miracle of earth’s renewal.

Juliet Hollister founded the Temple of Understanding in 1960

THE TEMPLE OF UNDERSTANDING
The cathedral is the headquarters of the Temple of Understanding founded by Juliet Hollister (1916-2000), which at first blush appears to be an altruistic effort to understand different religions. However the intent is to cloud traditional religions with neo-paganism and new age practices.

Supporters have been John D. Rockefeller II (1874 – 1960), the XIV Dalai Lama, Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), UN Secretary-General U Thant (1909-1974), International Planned Parenthood and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Jean Houston (b.1937), co-founder of the Foundation for Mind Research, wrote in her book Trojan Horse about the Temple of Understanding:

The Temple’s purpose is to facilitate the one world religion, through the promoting both the acceptance and the embrace of all religions, beliefs and rituals. The Temple of Understanding’s Meditation Room was to be known as the “Hall of Illumination”‘ where the Illuminati, Masters of Wisdom, Our Leaders of the Temple of Understanding will train the public in the new humanistic cult…to create a new type of mystic.

In his book "The Vanishing Face of Gaia: A Final Warning," (2009) James Lovelock says humanity is "Earth's infection."

The Temple has been fully accredited by the UN. In 2009, twelve director or advisers of the Temple of Understanding are also members of the UN's Global Forum councils. Many speakers received at these forums have endorsed a neo-pagan world religion based on earth worship.

James Lovelock (1919-2022), a speaker who referred to earth as Gaia, and described humans as a cancer to Gaia, an "illness too overwhelming for her to heal herself from". According to Lovelock, Earth can't be fixed, "There is nothing humans can do to reverse the process; the planet is simply too overpopulated to halt its own destruction by greenhouse gases. In order to survive, mankind must start preparing now for life on a radically changed planet."

Al Gore has been a guest several time at St. John the Divine. He's been applauded by pagan groups for his books and lectures. In 1996, The Church of All Worlds congratulated Clinton and Gore on their 1996 victory by writing:

We are Neo-Pagans — implying an eclectic reconstruction of ancient Nature religions, and combining archetypes of many cultures with other mystic and spiritual disciplines — and our beliefs and values are no different from those you describe as your own. Your book, Earth in Balance, is heralded by our People as a manifesto for all we hold dear…Know that there are half million NeoPagans out here who support you, and who voted for you, and who will rally to the aid of your policies for the salvation of the Earth and the reunification of the Great Family.

Georgia Guidestones before they were brought down by explosives in 2022.

There are unusual monuments like the Georgia Guidestones which was destroyed by explosives in 2022. They were erected in 1980 by a mysterious person who gave the pseudonym of R.C. Christian. The panels were inscribed in 8 different languages which were: English, Hebrew, Hindi, Swahli, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic, as well as four ancient languages — Ancient Greek, Sanskrit, Babylonian and Old Egyptian. It called for reducing the world population to 500 million or below, and to "guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity." It also served as a sundial and astronomical calendar.

There are other monuments found at the Denver International Airport installed by powerful, secretive groups that call for a new global form of spirituality. Expressions often used to make this shift palatable are: "peace, balance with nature or harmony with the infinite". The true objective behind these keywords are: "peace" which will only be achieved once there is a single world government; "balance with nature" is when the world's human population has been drastically decimated, and "harmony with the infinite" is when traditional religions have been eradicated and all embrace neo-pagan humanism or trans-humanism. It is not only Christian religions which are being led towards this ultimate one world religion, but other major religions as well.

There is a Madeleine L'Engle course given inside the cathedral. She is also one of the Temple's founders. She wrote a children's book, A Wrinkle in Time (1962), which is a fantasy that describes a physicist father who travels through space in the 5th dimension, and three children who aided by supernatural beings seek him on the planet Camazotz. What an inappropriate name since she surely knew Camazotz is a deity started among the Meso-Americans of Guatemala which was described as a dangerous cave-dwelling bat creature. In the Maya culture it is linked to death, and inhabits a cave called the "house of bats" in the Popol Vuh. Human sacrifices were made to Camazotz.

L'Engle was inurned in the Cathedral.

Stone sculptor working at the cathedral c.1909

The teachings at the Temple of Understanding include out-of-body experiences, shamanism, astral projection, Tarot for divination, earth worship, psychic abilities, yoga, Tantric Yoga (sex magic) and astrology. Despite being condemned by Christianity they are accepted within the Cathedral. Many of these practices are the entry point to darker belief systems, despite the sugar coating given to them by new age literature.

There are other temples worldwide which promote these practices. The common underpinning of them all is environmentalism. Urgency and fear that time is running out for Nature allows laws to be easily passed, that otherwise with closer examination would be held back, and possibly never be accepted. Some of these involve raising taxes all in the name of saving the Earth. Funding groups who see humans as parasites can only end in eugenics and genocide, in other words rationalizing the death of a great amount of the earth's population.

Ultimately despite its name, St. John the Divine Cathedral is not Christian, and the question begs to be asked. Why the deceit? Is it because of the power of Christian spirituality is much more immense then we are led to believe. Each should be allowed to worship as they please, but Christians should be given the same latitude. Why aren't they?

The pagan intellectuals re-clothed their original ideas in a garment of Christian phraseology but bestowed the keys of the symbolism only upon those duly initiated and bound to secrecy.
— Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages