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American Priestess: The Extraordinary Story of Anna Spafford and the American Colony in Jerusalem
For generations, The American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem has been a well-known retreat for journalists, diplomats, pilgrims and spies. However, few know the story of Anna Spafford, the enigmatic evangelist who was instrumental in its founding Branded heretics by Jerusalem’s established Christian missionaries when they arrived in 1881, the Spaffords and their followers nevertheless won over Muslims and Jews with their philanthropy. But when her husband Horatio died, Anna assumed leadership, shocking even her adherents by abolishing marriage and establishing an uneasy dictatorship based on emotional blackmail and religious extremism. With a controversial heroine at its core, American Priestess provides a fascinating exploration of the seductive power of evangelicalism as well as an intriguing history of an enduring landmark.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 8, 2018
Talk about a bittersweet, memorable read. The American Colony in Jerusalem. Now a 5-star hotel which I'd often heard about, and in a rather positive light given its history of unusual neutrality in that most tense city. But until now, few have known the true story of the house that became the American Colony Hotel or its bizarre history of tragedy, religious extremism, emotional blackmail, and peculiar sexual practices. Enter the Norwegian-born Anna and American Horatio Spafford, residents of Chicago.
After a series of tragic losses following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and a devastating shipwreck, Anna and Horatio Spafford led a small American contingent in 1881 to Jerusalem to form a Christian utopian society. Riding the wave of Protestant evangelicalism, they were eager to witness the Second Coming that was surely at hand, complete with a wish to see a Jewish return to the Holy Land (views which are still shared by many today).
A thoroughly researched account, the range of abuse within the community was as disturbing to read as their dedication to charitable work, to people of all backgrounds, was commendable. As such, in time its reputation grew, and hosted famous figures such as TE Lawrence, Gertrude Bell, and Peter Ustinov (whose grandfather was a Russian nobleman). I most definitely look forward to reading her other book, 'Passionate Nomad', about Freya Stark.
On a personal happier note, the place had recently garnered my attention while writing my book on our Russian grandfather Nicola, for that is where he met, and of course instantly, fell in love with our lovely Palestinian grandmother. :)<3+
After a series of tragic losses following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and a devastating shipwreck, Anna and Horatio Spafford led a small American contingent in 1881 to Jerusalem to form a Christian utopian society. Riding the wave of Protestant evangelicalism, they were eager to witness the Second Coming that was surely at hand, complete with a wish to see a Jewish return to the Holy Land (views which are still shared by many today).
A thoroughly researched account, the range of abuse within the community was as disturbing to read as their dedication to charitable work, to people of all backgrounds, was commendable. As such, in time its reputation grew, and hosted famous figures such as TE Lawrence, Gertrude Bell, and Peter Ustinov (whose grandfather was a Russian nobleman). I most definitely look forward to reading her other book, 'Passionate Nomad', about Freya Stark.
On a personal happier note, the place had recently garnered my attention while writing my book on our Russian grandfather Nicola, for that is where he met, and of course instantly, fell in love with our lovely Palestinian grandmother. :)<3+
October 10, 2024
This well written and researched story of the American Colony in Jerusalem held my interest from beginning to end. It is a sad tale of how well meaning people of deep faith can be victimized by a power-hungry leader. Anna Spafford was the wife of the writer of the famous hymn, "It is Well With My Soul." Under the belief that Jesus' return was imminent, she and her husband, Horatio Spafford, convinced several people to sell their worldly possessions and travel to Jerusalem to see the great event firsthand.
Horatio Spafford, once a successful lawyer, had suffered the loss of his 4 daughters in a shipwreck and subsequently lost his way. It is surmised that his departure for Jerusalem saved him from being arrested for dipping into the trust funds of several clients. He never worked again but spent his time wandering around Jerusalem. His wife, Anna, became the leader of the group and ruled with an iron hand. She was a manipulative and devious despot and brooked no opposition from those under her "command."
The book also touches on other religious movements of the day as well as the history of Jerusalem and Israel in the early 20th century. My thanks to Darren Jones, whose review of "American Priestess" brought it to my attention.
Horatio Spafford, once a successful lawyer, had suffered the loss of his 4 daughters in a shipwreck and subsequently lost his way. It is surmised that his departure for Jerusalem saved him from being arrested for dipping into the trust funds of several clients. He never worked again but spent his time wandering around Jerusalem. His wife, Anna, became the leader of the group and ruled with an iron hand. She was a manipulative and devious despot and brooked no opposition from those under her "command."
The book also touches on other religious movements of the day as well as the history of Jerusalem and Israel in the early 20th century. My thanks to Darren Jones, whose review of "American Priestess" brought it to my attention.
July 5, 2008
Fascinating story of The Overcomers, a religious cult from Chicago, who moved to Jerusalem to await the Second Coming of Christ in the late 1800's. Their interest was not prosleytizing -- in fact, they counted both Arabs and Jews among their staunchest supporters -- but only (originally) to place themselves at the foot of Christ and His return. Their impact on the city remains today, in the form of the American Colony Hotel which continues to provide four-star lodging to important visitors to the Holy City. The author did a fine job of admiring their many positive contributions while never white-washing the increasingly problematic behavior of Anna Spafford, who assumed leadership of the group on the death of her husband.
March 16, 2021
A surprising account of The American Colony in Jerusalem founded by Horatio and Anna Spafford. Horatio Spafford wrote the classic hymn, It Is Well With My Soul, following the deaths of his four daughters in a tragic ship accident at sea. His wife was saved from drowning. Spafford had highly questionable business practices and was deeply in debt. They went on to found a cult like group that believed in the imminent return of Christ and moved with others from this group to Jerusalem. When Christ did not return the group continued to live in Jerusalem but their beliefs were very much outside traditional Christianity and their practices highly questionable and sexually immoral. In spite of this, they established a well known and highly thought of hotel and other businesses. This was a story that I did not anticipate and I learned quite a bit of history surrounding both WWI and WWII and the part this group played in the activities of Jerusalem at that time. Anyone who enjoys history would enjoy this book. Those who love the background stories on Christian hymns would find it interesting although sad. It is difficult to reconcile the hymn with the author and I will never look at it the same. It does show how God works in spite of the sinfulness of mankind.
December 31, 2023
I'm torn about my review of this book. Parts of it were terrific, while I thought other parts were just dry recitation of facts.
It took me quite a bit of time to get through the initial part, because I empathized with Horatio much more than his wife (like him, I'm a lawyer, devout Christian, married with kids), and it was hard to read about his decisions to defraud his clients and then just abandon country, work, and orthodox Christianity.
Parts of the American colony lifestyle very much reminded me of my growing up in a small holiness sect: living in community (the good and the bad), the constant prayer meetings, even the terminology (lots of focus on "overcoming" and "purity").
All in all, I'd say it was an ok book about a fascinating community and leaders.
It took me quite a bit of time to get through the initial part, because I empathized with Horatio much more than his wife (like him, I'm a lawyer, devout Christian, married with kids), and it was hard to read about his decisions to defraud his clients and then just abandon country, work, and orthodox Christianity.
Parts of the American colony lifestyle very much reminded me of my growing up in a small holiness sect: living in community (the good and the bad), the constant prayer meetings, even the terminology (lots of focus on "overcoming" and "purity").
All in all, I'd say it was an ok book about a fascinating community and leaders.
August 14, 2019
Besides all the issues with Anna and the Overcommers, I was interested in the end talking about the Jewish and Palestinian divide. It just reinforced what I recently read on the subject. The inequality that Palestinians are enduring is not really acceptable today when you know what the Jews endured during the Holocaust.
Read Susan Nathan's, The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Arab Divide, herself a Jew. Another is Against our Better Judgement, by Allison Weir! Facinating reads. Not many people know of this history, but they should!
Read Susan Nathan's, The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Arab Divide, herself a Jew. Another is Against our Better Judgement, by Allison Weir! Facinating reads. Not many people know of this history, but they should!
June 9, 2011
After I read this book, I talked about it so much that my co-workers started openly mocking me. But it was THAT GOOD! Quick background for those that don't go to Jerusalem on a regular basis: the American Colony hotel is one of the famous hotels in central Jerusalem (the other two probably being the King David and the David Citadel) and particualarly notable because it actually sits in East Jerusalem, now the predominately Arab part of the city. Most people who work in the Middle East or on the peace process know the American Colony. But almost none of them realize it's origins.
I didn't learn as much about Jerusalem as I thought I would when I started this book. What I did learn about is how a small band of Christian fundamentalists from Chicago, arrived in Jerusalem at the end of the 19th century with absolutely nothing except faith in their leader, a man who conveniently decided that they needed to go greet the Messiah in the Holy Land right around the time that his massive debts in Chicago were coming due. With him was his wife Anna, the daughter of poor Scandinavian immigrants who scrabbled her way out of poverty through marriage to a man who was once one of the leading, wealthy lights of Chicago, and now was an impoverished fundamentalist leader in a very unwelcoming Holy Land.
Anna is the center of the story. When her husband dies (rather inconvenient considering he had promised his followers that none of them would die before the Messiah's arrival), Anna takes the reigns of the colony and rules it with an iron fist. Their group is essentially a cult, with Anna controlling every aspect of their lives. Those who dare to cross her or think about leaving are ruthlessly punished, and everyone is expected to labor for free for the good of the colony. Marriage is outlawed, relationships can occur only with Anna's approval, and children are separated from their parents and forced into slaving for the good of the group. When the Chicagoans prove too weak for Anna's rule, she lures a group of Swedes to reinforce the ranks. Her own children are petted and educated, and the American Colony becomes known as a place where visiting Turkish leaders and British mandate govenorers can visit for cultured entertainment. Anna opens the house to American and European visitors, planting the seeds for the hotel, and they start a very profitable antiquities and photographs business (the American Colony photo department is responsible for many famous photographs of events in Jerusalem, including the surrender of the city to the British during WWI). Through all the upheavals faced by Jerusalem, and despite the bitter opposition of the American Consulate, Anna Spafford's rule is unchanged and unchallenged for decades.
A fascinating portrait of a truly frightening American leader in the Middle East, Anna Spafford is the ultimate survivor. The descendants of her "colony" followers still own the American Colony Hotel to this day. And when I visited the hotel last year, I found they keep a small photo shrine to Anna in one of the parlors around the courtyard.
I didn't learn as much about Jerusalem as I thought I would when I started this book. What I did learn about is how a small band of Christian fundamentalists from Chicago, arrived in Jerusalem at the end of the 19th century with absolutely nothing except faith in their leader, a man who conveniently decided that they needed to go greet the Messiah in the Holy Land right around the time that his massive debts in Chicago were coming due. With him was his wife Anna, the daughter of poor Scandinavian immigrants who scrabbled her way out of poverty through marriage to a man who was once one of the leading, wealthy lights of Chicago, and now was an impoverished fundamentalist leader in a very unwelcoming Holy Land.
Anna is the center of the story. When her husband dies (rather inconvenient considering he had promised his followers that none of them would die before the Messiah's arrival), Anna takes the reigns of the colony and rules it with an iron fist. Their group is essentially a cult, with Anna controlling every aspect of their lives. Those who dare to cross her or think about leaving are ruthlessly punished, and everyone is expected to labor for free for the good of the colony. Marriage is outlawed, relationships can occur only with Anna's approval, and children are separated from their parents and forced into slaving for the good of the group. When the Chicagoans prove too weak for Anna's rule, she lures a group of Swedes to reinforce the ranks. Her own children are petted and educated, and the American Colony becomes known as a place where visiting Turkish leaders and British mandate govenorers can visit for cultured entertainment. Anna opens the house to American and European visitors, planting the seeds for the hotel, and they start a very profitable antiquities and photographs business (the American Colony photo department is responsible for many famous photographs of events in Jerusalem, including the surrender of the city to the British during WWI). Through all the upheavals faced by Jerusalem, and despite the bitter opposition of the American Consulate, Anna Spafford's rule is unchanged and unchallenged for decades.
A fascinating portrait of a truly frightening American leader in the Middle East, Anna Spafford is the ultimate survivor. The descendants of her "colony" followers still own the American Colony Hotel to this day. And when I visited the hotel last year, I found they keep a small photo shrine to Anna in one of the parlors around the courtyard.
April 26, 2015
I finished reading this book late on a Saturday, too late to write a good review. It is Sunday and, inasmuch as this book is about a "Christian" sect, an appropriate day to write the review. The author quotes Alexis de Tocqueville (who toured the US in 1831)"Religious insanity is very common in the United States." A statement which seems to run true throughout our history. The preponderance of this history starts a generation after de Tocqueville and continues past World War II. The major religious crusades in America of the late 1800s drew large crowds but often did not address the underlying social problems. At the same time small groups formed believing the end times were near. This is the story of one such group.
Hard economic times are often the instigators of deep religious revival. Crises create situations where nimble inventions are created in the form of 'religious truths.' Cults are formed of 'true believers.' Much like the mega-churches of today, the Spaffordites had an hierarchy that was able to use fear and awe to keep followers loyal. The leaders reaped more benefits from the structure than those beneath them. While this occurred with the American Colony in Jerusalem, the colony was different than the 'Christian" missionaries in the Middle East at that time.
The Spaffordites believed the second coming was near so they moved to Jerusalem to be the 'bride of Christ' when he came. Unlike other missionaries, they did not proselytize. They helped all the poor and needy while living a 'communal' life style based on strict rules. Because they helped all regardless of religion they were able to survive the times until a Jewish state was formed.
One can glean much from histories of small groups and biographies. Authors need to reveal the context in which the subjects act. Little known facts are often revealed. The egoism of the British Commander-in-Chief and his need to be seen as conqueror of Jerusalem leading to destruction of evidence showing he was a Johnny come lately is one of them. Another is the Jewish terrorism in Palestine, such as the Deir Yassin massacre on April 9, 1948, in which Irgun and Stern Gang commandos executed a wedding party, raped and murdered women and children, ransacked and dynamited houses. Jewish loudspeaker trucks then broadcast the horror throughout Palestinian towns and promised more of the same. Bits of history some groups would like to have buried seem to appear in unexpected works.
Hard economic times are often the instigators of deep religious revival. Crises create situations where nimble inventions are created in the form of 'religious truths.' Cults are formed of 'true believers.' Much like the mega-churches of today, the Spaffordites had an hierarchy that was able to use fear and awe to keep followers loyal. The leaders reaped more benefits from the structure than those beneath them. While this occurred with the American Colony in Jerusalem, the colony was different than the 'Christian" missionaries in the Middle East at that time.
The Spaffordites believed the second coming was near so they moved to Jerusalem to be the 'bride of Christ' when he came. Unlike other missionaries, they did not proselytize. They helped all the poor and needy while living a 'communal' life style based on strict rules. Because they helped all regardless of religion they were able to survive the times until a Jewish state was formed.
One can glean much from histories of small groups and biographies. Authors need to reveal the context in which the subjects act. Little known facts are often revealed. The egoism of the British Commander-in-Chief and his need to be seen as conqueror of Jerusalem leading to destruction of evidence showing he was a Johnny come lately is one of them. Another is the Jewish terrorism in Palestine, such as the Deir Yassin massacre on April 9, 1948, in which Irgun and Stern Gang commandos executed a wedding party, raped and murdered women and children, ransacked and dynamited houses. Jewish loudspeaker trucks then broadcast the horror throughout Palestinian towns and promised more of the same. Bits of history some groups would like to have buried seem to appear in unexpected works.
September 17, 2013
Religious fundamentalism run amok but at the same time catering and caring for many that the missionaries of the day just cast aside. There is a whole cast of saints and sinners and a few are found to be both. Ms Geniesse has created a well researched book on the American Colony in Jerusalem and given a tide of history of the middle east an area of complexities to this day. Truly a fascinating read!
The Spaffords created the American Colony as a place for the group to prepare for the end of the world. The patriarch of this cult is Horatio Spafford but upon his death and really just before his death Anna his wife who becomes known as "Mother" is the controlling figure. The majority of the children are ill educated except for those who borrow books from Johanna Brooke who became a model "for escape from the loss of personality in a self deluded religious group such as ours." For many who stayed it was safer not to think at all.
"Anna was not the first, and certainly will not be the last, to use religion as a tool in the service of goals having more to do with Caesar than with God. If there is a lesson to be learned from this small slice of history, surely it is the importance of thinking for oneself lest one be victimized. Still the colony left a legacy of generosity to the people they served, and Bertha and her descendants have carried it on. And if anything is true of Americans, and fits their ideal of the American Dream, it is the inclination to think for themselves as ready and willing to help others in the service of making the world a better place."
The Spaffords created the American Colony as a place for the group to prepare for the end of the world. The patriarch of this cult is Horatio Spafford but upon his death and really just before his death Anna his wife who becomes known as "Mother" is the controlling figure. The majority of the children are ill educated except for those who borrow books from Johanna Brooke who became a model "for escape from the loss of personality in a self deluded religious group such as ours." For many who stayed it was safer not to think at all.
"Anna was not the first, and certainly will not be the last, to use religion as a tool in the service of goals having more to do with Caesar than with God. If there is a lesson to be learned from this small slice of history, surely it is the importance of thinking for oneself lest one be victimized. Still the colony left a legacy of generosity to the people they served, and Bertha and her descendants have carried it on. And if anything is true of Americans, and fits their ideal of the American Dream, it is the inclination to think for themselves as ready and willing to help others in the service of making the world a better place."
March 11, 2016
This covered a very interesting subject. Here was a religious cult that actually did some good. But, like in all such groups, there was also lots of exploitation of the followers in the group and lots of weirdness involved. The writing was well-researched, but I felt like there were various places where the prose was not as clear as it could have been. For instance, there was a collision of two ships mid-ocean and it was not clear which boat hit which and which came to the rescue. This was a very important event and it was frustrating not to know what the details were. To her credit, the author did have a list of names in the front of the book, telling who each person was, which was a help. There were also two maps, both featuring the compound, but I would have liked at least one more, detailing the area of the mid-east where it all took place. There was plenty of food for thought in this recounting, so I was glad I read American Priestess. I think Geniesse was even-handed in her treatment of the principals and the history she covers.
September 3, 2008
An amazing story of one woman and her capacity to lead and guide many under her wing - not always for the betterment of those who followed. Her reign began along with her husband, Horatio, during the Protestant evangelical wave after the Civil Warm when they convinced themselves and a handful of others that the Second Coming was imminent and that they were being called to Jerusalem. Even though they were scorned by the American Consul and other missionaries, this small group were admired and appreciated by both Muslims and Jews as they cared for the sick and needy of all faiths. How far will we go in the name of deity? Well written and footnoted.
November 5, 2008
An excellent story of the Overcomers in Jerusalem...a group of Americans and Swedes who moved to Jerusalem in the late 1800s to await the Second Coming. While their religious beliefs were odd, their impact on the city through the 1st World War (and even to this day, as their colony buildings continue to operate as a hotel) was largely beneficial. They remained staunchly neutral in the Arab/Jewish conflict, and ran schools, soup kitchens, and hospitals.
It wasn't a riveting read...but still kept me reading, as I was curious what was going to happen to the group. If you have visited Jerusalem (or even luckier, lived there), you'd enjoy this book.
It wasn't a riveting read...but still kept me reading, as I was curious what was going to happen to the group. If you have visited Jerusalem (or even luckier, lived there), you'd enjoy this book.
July 26, 2017
I found that Geniesse does a thorough job of providing historical accuracy but oversteps her bounds when she begins to attempt to editorialize and rationalize the actions of Anna and her group. When I read a biography, I want the biographer to give me the facts, and I will put the dots together to find the truth in the story. Geniesse attempts to excuse some behaviors with rationalizations, and that is not the biographers role. I would have enjoyed this read more, had the simple story been put forward.
For a full review visit http://ireadalotofbooks.com/american-...
For a full review visit http://ireadalotofbooks.com/american-...
August 7, 2008
This history of the American Colony in Jerusalem was made more interesting by the fact that I spent a weekend in this hotel in 1984 when I was a member of the Multinational (Peacekeeping) Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai. Anyone planning to visit Jerusalem should stay at this five-star hotel and definitely should read American Priestess before m aking the trip.
November 8, 2011
I enjoyed the historical perspective, but I'm not sure I agree with her take on the American Colony. An interesting story, no doubt, but the Colony did what the Church has done for years, use the Jews for selfish purposes without truly consulting the Word on their destiny. I was disappointed with Geniesse's summary of the people directly involved in the afterword, also.
October 22, 2008
This was an extraordinary story about Anna Spafford. It was disturbing and informative. However, there are a few events presented as true, which there is some doubt for instance about the Massacre at Deir Yassin.
April 6, 2009
Fascinating tale of the Overcomers with a brief history of the zionist movement in Jerusalem. I also loved since this was a library edition-a previous reader had editorialized some of the statements which made it even more interesting.
January 18, 2011
This is a well-researched biography of a complex and intriguing personality. As a Jerusalemite, I would have appreciated more references to contemporary Jerusalem. Obviously, my comment would not apply to most readers of this book!
June 7, 2014
American Priestess is an eye-opening biography of the family of Horatio Spafford, writer of the famous and beloved hymn It Is Well with My Soul. This book is well written, well researched, and well documented. Beyond that it is a good read in the study of pride, selfishness, and deception.
January 20, 2015
I read this book after returning from one of our trips to Jerusalem and it made the places we visited come to life--an incredible family history interwoven with profound world events.
February 20, 2009
This was a very interesting story about something that I had no prevfious knowledge. It was a little dry, but overall a good read.
Currently reading
September 13, 2009Love this author....recently read Passionate Nomad about Freya Stark and loved the way Jane Geniesse told a story. This one is about Anna Spafford and the American Colony in Jerusalem.
September 19, 2014
Interesting insight into the allure of Jerusalem ad one sect's impact upon its society.
Extremely well written, great character insight and location representation.
Extremely well written, great character insight and location representation.
October 10, 2011
Weird. I don't know what else to say.
November 13, 2012
fascinating book about the cult of Mother Spafford, a bunch of Swedish fundamentalists who ended up emigrating to Palestine at the turn of the century.
April 30, 2014
interesting book - lots of detail and hard to keep track but I learned a lot.
February 20, 2014
An interesting story of the American Colony in Jerusalem. Loaded with lots of history and an amazing story of how a cult starts and morphs to suit its needs.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews