Rev. Leota Maxwell

Open Door Spiritualist Church was founded by Rev. Leota Maxwell, a former school teacher of 20 some years. Rev. Leota was a long time member of the General Assembly of Spiritualist Churches, she founded the Church as President in 1931, and became ordained through the General Assembly and elected as Pastor in 1932. Rev. Leota was assisted by her daughter Dorthy, who acted as an Assistant Pastor and Medium.

In founding this Church Rev. Leota had a very clear mission: that everyone was welcome. At the time many Spiritualist Churches were beginning to accept segregationist policies, which Rev. Leota (and the General Assembly of Spiritualists) were extremely opposed to.

In an article in the Democrat and Chronicle detailing the opening of her Church reffered to Open Door Spiritualist Church as a "colored" Spiritualist Church, due to Rev. Leota's outspoken stance on the importance of integration and equality.

Rev. Leota emphasized that Spiritualism was a religion of Healing; in an interview with the Democrat and Chronicle Rev. Leota explained that she often ministered to those who were dealing with mental health issues, particularly depression. She claimed that the principles and teachings of Spiritualism were especially helpful those struggling with their mental wellness, and that many individuals came to her church seeking healing.

Open Door Spiritualist Church met in the home of Rev. Leota, in a 1938 article in the democrat and chronicle a reporter describes the meeting as "vases of flowers are set about the platform, Biblical pictures and quotations cover the faded brown wallpaper, and visitors sit down happily in folding chairs." For larger services and lectures, the congregation would meet in Seneca Hotel.

Rev. Leota was a teacher at heart, and offered a six month course on Mediumship, as well as an introductory course on the religion of Spiritualism, which she called "the A.B.C's of Spiritualism." In her sermons she would often use passages and wisdom from the Bible to teach the principles of Spiritualism.

Rev. Leota would eventually step down as Pastor from Open Door Spiritualist Church to continue her ministry both in Lily Dale, New York and continuing to serve on the General Assembly of Spiritualists. Open Door Spiritualist Church would remain a thriving Spiritualist Church for several decades, closing shortly after the passing of Rev. Leota in 1953. She passed quietly in her home in Lily Dale, New York where she had lived since 1945.