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.

Christian Spiritualist Temple

The Christian Spiritualist Temple was opened in 1931 with Eva Robinson serving as Pastor. Robinson had already been listed as serving as a Medium at Divine Inspiration as well as Central Spiritualist Church. 

Christian Spiritualist Temple was listed as being chartered through the Independent Spiritualist Churches of America, the Independent Spiritualist Association was started by a group of Spiritualists in 1924 that felt that the National Association was becoming too dogmatic, and moving away from the Freethought of early Spiritualists. The Independent Spiritualist Association was formed so that Spiritualist Churches could continue to work together as a group, but allow for more freedom of thought and worship. 

In an article in the Democrat and Chronicle from 1931 it was stated that the ministry of the Church was particularly devoted to "divine healing" and that "in view of the present financial conditions" (the Great Depression) one hour each day from 4-5pm for open healing sessions that anyone could attend for free. 

In 1933 Rev. Eva Robinson stepped down as senior Pastor and the Church was lead by Dr. A. J. McIvor-Tyndall of Central Spiritualist Church. Rev. Alexander assisted in serving Christian Spiritualist Temple with Rev. Eva acting as Assistant Pastor. 

Rev. Robinson seems to have reestablished Christian Spiritualist Temple as Guild of Hope Spiritualist Society (sometimes referred to as Church).  She is listed as leading prayer services and messages services for this group, while also serving at local Churches affiliated with the General Assembly, particularly Open Door Spiritualist Church. 

The Independent Spiritualist Association of the United States still opperates as a Spiritualist Association with several Churches chartered with them through out the country. https://independentspiritualists.org  

Rev. Maymie Rosenbaum

Rev. Maymie Rosenbaum founded the Trinity Temple Spiritualist Church in the 1940s. She was ordained through the General Assembly of Spiritualist Churches. She lead several services a week, facilitated seances, and also offered Bible study. 

In the early 1960s Rev. Maymie reestablished her church as the First Spiritual Science Church. The Church continued to meet at her home, but would occasionally rent space at an Odd Fellows Hall for larger services. Rev. Maymie continued well into her 70s to continue having morning and evening Sunday services each week, as well as leading a Bible study group. 

In the last few years of her life she served and taught classes at Divine Inspiration. She passed away at age 82 in 1978. 

Christ Church, Spiritualist: the Musical Church

Christ Church, Spiritualist was a small but very unique Spiritualist Church. The Church met in the Osborn House Hotel. Although the life of this church was only active from about 1921 to 1925 this small church was made incredibly popular due to it's dedication to music. 

The Church not only had an active choir, but was very involved with promoting local musicians. Several well known local musicians performed during services including piano players, violinists, a women's trumpet group, multiple singers, and two small orchestras composed of Eastman students, as well as members of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra. 

The pastor of the Church was a Rev. Flora L. Minder, although not much biographical information on her life exists, it was recorded that she lived on Avis Street. And that after the Christ Church eventually shut down, she served at Plymouth Spiritualist Church giving a regular midweek message service, and also serving as President of the Ladies Auxiliary. 

A regular lecturer and friend to Christ Church, Spiritualist was a Dr. Noah Musselman, a "Heath and Herb Specialist" he often gave lectures on Mental and Physical Health and Wellness, as well as classes and lessons on Healing. 

An interesting article from the Democrat and Chronicle mentions that the Church held a Costume Ball, sponsored by the Willing Workers of Christ Church Spiritualist, a young women's group that the church supported. The Ball had two orchestras, as well as a banjo player. 

Christ Church, Spiritualist held regular Sunday Services, as well as private and public Message Services and Seances. An article preserved a short quote from one of Rev. Flora's sermons, where she teaches, "God is infinite, and men and angels, although they had a beginning, will be infinite too."