William Branham: The Religious Hall of Art

When William Branham's Houston Photograph was sent to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC for copyright protection, Branham began claiming that the government had rushed the photo to Washington as proof of the supernatural.[1] According to Branham, "science" had proven that the photo was proof of a supernatural being, and as a result, the government hung the photo in the "Religious Hall of Art" with a note stating, "The only supernatural being was ever photographed in the history of the world."

And one of them is in Washington, D.C., in the religious Hall of Art, with a note under it, "The only supernatural being was ever photographed in the history of the world." And now, then, if you're ever through there, drop in, see it. Branham, William. 1963, Jun 6. "Show Us the Father"
The problem? There is no such place in Washington, D.C. The photograph received no special recognition outside of any other biographical photograph that was sent in for copyright protection. To this day, it sits in a drawer, filed with all of the other biographical photographs, as proof of ownership.[2]

Cult leaders are aware that Branham misled the public with regard to the photograph. Frequently, cult leaders share a report prepared by George J. Lacy after being paid by the Branham campaign team to examine the photograph. Lacy's report, however, did not mention the supernatural as Branham had claimed; Lacy simply proved that the photograph had not been altered.

Based upon the above described examination and study I am of the definite opinion that the negative submitted for examination, was not retouched nor was it a composite or double exposed negative. Further, I am of the definite opinion that the light streak appearing above the head in a halo position was caused by the light striking the negative.
George J. Lacy, Report and Opinion
Some cult leaders have visited the Library of Congress to see the photograph, and are aware that there is no note under the photograph declaring supernatural. According to cult leader Tim Pruitt, "I've held the picture in my hand. And people doubt it. Cause you're not gonna convince devils of unbelief."[3]

References

[1] Branham, William. 1950, Jul 14. At Thy Word . The next morning, they flew the picture away to Washington, DC for a copyright. Before it could be released, it had to go before the FBI examinations. And when they did, they went and got the best, George J. Lacy, the best there is in the United States. He kept it for two or three days, and to see if there was any touch-up, or anything was wrong … Mr. Lacy said it was the first time in all human history that a - a supernatural Being was ever photographed.

[2] A foto da coluna de fogo sobre William Branham em Washington DC. Accessed 2021, Aug 27 from https://youtu.be/ERooQuMSt4w

[3] Pruitt,Tim . 2021, Jun 20. The People of the Book, Part 125 (The Battle in Two Worlds)