Rev. Helen Gerling

Rev. Helen Gerling assisted by her Husband Rev. John Bertrand Gerling were the leaders of Rochester's Centre Psychic Temple. Rev. Helen was a motivated and energized leader who had a vision for Spiritualism as a truly worldwide movement, and worked tirelessly for almost her entire life to serve others as a Spiritualist leader. 

The Gerlings were originally members of Plymouth Spiritualist Church, however in 1933 due to long standing disputes between divided factions of the Church, Rev. Helen and her Husband left Plymouth Church and the National Organization to start their own group. 

In 1937 their group was first named the Psychic Circle of Fraternal Service, this group held bible studies, seances, and Sunday services. Based on a few references it seems that they may have borrowed space from Divine Inspiration Spiritualist Church, and also served in joint Sunday services. 

Their Church eventually became known as the Psychic Temple of Fraternal Service in 1938, and by 1942 was called the Center Science Psychic Temple, and Center Temple UPS (abbreviated "Universal Psychic Science"). In addition to traditional Spiritualist subjects and seances, the Psychic Center broaded their view to include discussions and classes on subjects such as psychic sciences, astrology, and yoga, and also included psychic readings as opposed to strictly mediumistic phenomena. 

Rev. Helen and her husband were both very involved with the preservation of Hydesville Park and were members of the Fox Memorial Society which had hoped to transform Hydesville into a center of international Spiritualism complete with a Spiritualist Temple, Museum, and Memorial Park. 

An interesting article from June 17, 1939 (just a few months before WWII officially begins) states that Rev. Helen invited Herman Sarachan, the secretary of the Rochester Jewish YM (Community Center) to speak at Psychic Temple regarding the troubling situations that Jews were facing in Germany at the time.

Rev. Helen in particular seems to have been highly motivated to connect with other Spiritualists around the world and to serve on an international level. In 1948 an international Convention of more than 300 Spiritualist leaders met in Rochester, largely due to the efforts of  Rev Helen and her husband; she presided over the evening services of the convention. 

In 1949 Rev. Helene was sent as the official delegate to represent the Spiritualist Federation of America at the World Parliament of Religions in New York City. She was part of a symposium of speakers discussing "Women in Ministry"

In the 1950's the Gerlings moved to Florida where they relocated their Psychic Science Temple. Eventually they founded the Universal Harmony Foundation, an organization that trained individuals in Spiritualism and Psychic Science as Ministers and Teachers so they might open their own Churches and Centers and teach others. 

Rev. John Gerling passed away in 1966, and Rev. Helen continued serving the Spiritualist Community in Florida as both a Minister of her Universal Harmony Metaphysical Center, and as Director of the Universal Harmony Foundation. Rev. Helen also regularly served as guest worker at Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. 

Rev. Helen Gerling passed away in 1995 at age 89, on March 31, the Anniversary of the Advent of Spiritualism. She dedicated 60 years of her life to teaching and serving others.