Publications
The God House of Detroit
By Julianna Frost
July 30, 2026
Tags American Communal Societies Series
American Communal Societies Series, no. 20, 136 pages, 2026
ISBN: 978-1-937370-46-6 ($25)
During the late nineteenth century an intentional community known as the God House took shape in the heart of Detroit. It began as an Jezreelite sect but adopted suspect tenets causing the group to splinter and run afoul of the law. Even with their criminal backgrounds, Michael Mills and Eliza Court maintained control during decades of turmoil and controversy. The God House story also intersects with other new religious movements such as the House of David and the Panacea Society. This historical examination attempts to understand the longevity and impact of this commune which stretched from the U.S., to Canada, and to England.
Julieanna Frost has been a writer and educator for over twentyfive years. She currently teaches at Northwestern Michigan College. Her main research areas include Women’s History, Religious Studies, and American Culture. She received her PhD from the Union Institute and University in 2007 with a specialization in Women’s History. She is the author of several books and scholarly publications, including one published previously by the Couper Press, The Worthy Virgins: Mary Purnell and her City of David.
