The ideas of restoration and re-use had its roots in the monistic worldview of the Peace Mission, a perspective on the single governing principle of reality shared by such American metaphysical movements as  Unity and Christian Science "" all related to the nineteenth-century spiritual movement known as "New Thought."  This non-dualistic view of what is "really real" can be observed in the words of one Peace Mission song, "There's No Heaven In The Sky."

The present reality is heaven, and the development of perfect consciousness in this life is possible. Not only would such a consciousness result in a source of spiritual supply but also an abundance of all material needs.  Father Divine's truth transcends the material world, but the material world still bears the reflection of that spiritual transcendence. Such a connection with the "universal mind substance" allows individuals to re-create and rebuild their lives whether a direct follower of Father Divine or someone just touched by his message. These were powerful ideas to Depression-era American urban poor in Harlem and other communities of African-Americans, referred to as "dark-complected  people" due to Father Divine's avoidance of racial references, as well as to "light-complected" individuals in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.  This theological perspective was often related to and amplified by Father Divine in messages concerning Peace Mission buildings.  In a September 1938 statement to his followers gathered at Jamaica, Queens, he elaborated on how the restoration of buildings was connected to the restoration of the person:

Then I say, you can see these old buildings in different communities that were run down, dilapidated, and absolutely good for nothing, as you may term them to be, as God is the Center of Attraction and a Standard of Perfection expressed, He demonstrates it by bringing perfection in these different places" the perfection of competence" the perfection of truth, both in the minds and the hearts and lives of the children of men, and in the surroundings; renovating old material, natural buildings, remodeling and renovating them, causing them, to be comfortable and convenient, causing them to have all improvements for the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of such buildings a sample and an example for others. (The New Day 12 Sept 1938:13) Father Divine had no reservations about reusing the buildings acquired from other denominations such as Roman Catholics or Baptists. No matter a building's original purpose, once it is consecrated to the service of humanity, it resonates with a positive vibration that is experienced daily. He explained in 1947 in a private conversation in his office at the Circle Mission Church on Broad Street in Philadelphia that "the advantage of the sacredness of the edifices or the edifice there [is] because it has been under the jurisdiction of a religious organization that is highly admired by MYSELF and MY following" we feel the atmosphere there as we do not feel or would not feel automatically in the beginning of a place until it is fully consecrated "" if it has not been consecrated by others" (The New Day 16 August 1947:13).   Of course, any property could be converted to an "evangelical" purpose, and Father Divine would proudly announce in his messages at Holy Communion Banquet Services recent acquisitions: And making this an occasion of the season, through MY Condescension to present MYSELF and appear in Person, I have come to call your attention to the Blessings of those of the Followers who have recently purchased 22 E. Kinney Street [Newark, N.J.] "" having purchased it, renovated it and have now set it up for the Dedication and Consecration to the Service of God; for when you serve yourself and others ARIGHT you serve your fellowmen! (22-23 November 1945 message; printed in The New Day 30 November 1991:3)