Rochester's Mystic Tea Room

In 1930 some of the local Rochester Spiritualist Churches met at Plymouth Spiritualist Church to discuss the issue of Spiritualists who were reading tea leaves in local tea rooms. 

The conclusion reached was that activities such as tea leaf reading were acceptable only for private entertainment, and that no Spiritualist associated with the area Spiritualist Churches was to publicly read tea leaves for others as a representative of Spiritualism. 

This mandate is still in effect today for members of both the General Assembly of Spiritualists, as well as the National Spiritualist Association of Churches. 

The current bylaws of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches state, "NSAC members are prohibited from using fortune telling cards, crystals, crystal balls, Ouija board, tea leaves, palmistry, or other means that may be named by the NSAC Board while acting in their capacities as NSAC members as these practices do not prove the continuity of life." 

The current manual of the General Assembly of Spiritualists states, "A fortune teller is one who automatically predicts events for personal gain and without regard to spiritual upliftment. Tea-cup readers, card readers, crystal gazers, and elemental psychists are often in this class. The true psychic resorts to none of these these agencies for describing psychic events, either past or present, or in the future. Mediumship is a sacred and exalted gift of the spirit." 

In the same year as this convention there was a business operating in Rochester named the Mystic Tea Room. A common name for a tea-room in that decade, the Mystic Tea Room was a small cozy tea house that offered refreshments, light meals, and a tea leaf reading with the purchase of a pot of tea. 

The Mystic Tea Room hosted the first annual meeting of the Golden Rule Spiritualist Church, and also rented their space to the Spiritual Church of the Soul in 1933 for regular Sunday Services. 

Although this still an issue among Spiritualist Churches, most Spiritualists themselves are completely content to accept such practices as tea-leaf reading as a legitimate and evidential form of psychic message work. As Cicely Kent, the great master of tea-leaf reading, wrote, "Some are inclined to jeer at the fortune in the teacup, but if the language of symbolism is rightly understood, the medium through which it is seen matters little."

Dr. Helen Graham

The Rev. Dr. Helen Graham was born in England where she was trained as a Spiritualist Minister; she moved to the United States in the 1930s. In 1940 she moved to Rochester, New York, where she served in various local Churches, as well as in Lily Dale. 

In 1952 Plymouth Spiritualist Church reached out to Dr. Graham to lead their small congregation. With hardly enough active members to afford to keep the great building going, the state was able to acquire the property and planned to demolish the church to make space for the construction of the Inner Loop and County Jail. 

In an interview with the Democrat and Chronicle from 1953 Lewis M. Caves, then President of Plymouth Spiritualist Church, lamented that the dwindling membership was due to a series of Pastors "who didn't set too well" with the congregation. After a year of temporarily meeting in hotels and houses, in 1955 the Plymouth congregation found a new home for a new era. The property was not far from the original location, and was located on Flint St; it had previously belonged to the First Church of the Nazarene. 

With Plymouth settled in their new location, Dr. Graham stepped down as Pastor to open the Rochester Spiritualist Center located in the Powers Hotel. She lead her congregation for four years until her death in 1959.

Violet Seils: Rochester's Youngest Spiritualist Minister

In 1930 Violet Seils was hailed as a child prodigy of Spiritualist Mediumship. She was highly capable of Mental Mediumship, specifically Clairvoyance and Clairaudience, and more unusually a Physical Medium capable of producing Direct Voice phenomena. 

According to stories of her family and those familiar with her when Violet was only two years old her sister and others would hear small voices speaking around her. By age four she was able to see clairvoyantly and would play with children no one else could see, and by age ten she was producing evidential mediumship of spirits who had passed on. 

Violet was described as an average young girl, who enjoyed school and playing with her friends. She attended a Rochester public school and also a Sunday School, she stated that she wanted to be a Minister when she grew up.

In the summer of 1930 Violet served as a guest Medium at Central Spiritualist Church. The church was completely filled with individuals hoping to receive a message from her.  Rev. Alexander of Central Spiritualist commented that "it is somewhat interesting that this should have developed in Rochester" making a comparison to Violet and the young Fox Sisters. 

During the service he named Violet as an Associate Pastor of the Church, making her wish to be a Minister come true. Violet served as a guest Medium in other Rochester Spiritualist churches such as Plymouth Spiritualist Church and Divine Inspiration. 

Golden Rule Spiritualist Church

Golden Rule Spiritualist Church was founded by Rev. Marie Hall. Born in Canada, Rev. Hall moved to Rochester in 1905 where she served as a nurse in Genesee Hospital for a number of years. 

In 1932 Rev. Hall founded Golden Rule Spiritualist Church, first located on Union Street, and then moving to 21 Marshal Street due to a growing congregation. 

Shortly after the founding of her Church, Rev. Hall organized the Golden Rule Spiritualist Association, which trained conducted classes for Mediums and Ministers, and granted charters to Churches. The Association had Churches in New York, Florida, Georgia, California. With several National Conventions meeting yearly in Rochester.

Rev. James Buchanan: The Church of Spiritual Love

The Spiritualist Church of Spiritual Love, often simply shortened to the Church of Spiritual Love was opened in 1968 by Rev. James A. Buchanan. The Church was located in the center of the South Wedge neighborhood on South Ave. 

A newspaper article described Rev. James as "a hefty, handsome man looking more like a defensive lineman than a spirit medium." I was also informed by an individual who knew him that he had a very good sense of humor and was openly gay. Another article stated He had been a natural medium since childhood and was well known through out the United States. 

Rev. James was ordained in Lily Dale, NY as a Spiritualist Minister and was the director of the Mediums Association of Lily Dale. The church was an independent Spiritualist Church and was described as "unaffiliated with other area Spiritualist Groups." The Church's motto was "the Spiritualist Church with a Spiritual Message." 

Most weekly Sunday services were held later in the afternoon at 3pm and occasionally as late as 7pm. They held regular Messages Circles, Healing Services, and Mediums' Day services. The Church often had guest speakers from other local Churches, as well as speakers from England, the Netherlands, and Canada. 

Rev. James was also a member of the Cassadaga Spiritualist Association, regularly visiting Florida to serve at Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp as well as various Spiritualist Churches in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and other cities with Spiritualist communities. He eventually moved to Florida on a permanent basis in the 1970s. 

In November 1995 Rev. James was found in his apartment by concerned neighbors who hadn't seen him for several days, investigators would not give information about how he was killed but only that his body showed obvious signs of trauma and that his car was missing. According to neighbors he had a history of bringing men to his home and this is most likely what lead to his death. 

He was described as a good and sincere man, with a natural talent for mediumship, and quite a character when giving Messages. He was 65 years old.

The Spiritualist Obelisk

The plans for a potential monument to Spiritualism in Rochester, New York had been discussed for a number of years by several different Spiritualist leaders. It seems though that it wasn't until Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes and devout Spiritualist, popularized the idea that momentum was put behind the project.

When Doyle (who was notoriously bad at American geography) visited Rochester, New York he was somewhat surprised to find out that Hydesville (where the advent of Spiritualism began) was actually a fair distance away from the city of Rochester. Doyle felt that given Rochester was so central a location for Spiritualists, that a monument should be placed in the city. He proposed that a small spot of land near the site of Plymouth Spiritualist Church (as it was located in the 1920s) would have made a nice spot for a memorial marker to Spiritualism. 

In an article from 1926 in the Democrat and Chronicle, "Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle novelist and playwright, has given the first $5,000* for this monument. Both he and his fellow countryman, Sir Oliver Lodge, express their approval of the memorial being in this city. The National and State Association of Spiritualism have also endorsed the selection of Rochester." William H. Burr, the President of the General Assembly of Spiritualists, served as the chairman for the Executive Committee for the monument in Rochester.

At the unveiling of the monument in 1927 several prominent Spiritualist leaders from the United States, Canada, and England visited. Although Doyle could not attend, most likely due to health issues, a letter from him was read by Rev. Walter Foss then Pastor of Plymouth, and future leader of Central Spiritualist Church. 

In his letter Doyle praised the dedication of American Spiritualists saying, "I send my hearty congratulations to the Spiritualists of America for having raised a monument in memory of what posterity will recognize as the greatest event that ever occurred upon American soil."

1954 when the original site of Plymouth Spiritualist Church was demolished to make room for the Inner Loop, the Obelisk was moved to the south east corner of the Inner Loop at Plymouth and Troup Street where it currently remains today. 

The plaque on the monument reads: Erected December 4, 1927 By the Spiritualists of the World In Commemoration of the Advent of Modern Spiritualism At Hydesville, NY March 31, 1848 And in tribute to Mediumship, the Rock upon Which Demonstrable Spiritualism Forever Stands. THERE IS NO DEATH, THERE ARE NO DEAD.

*sources are unclear of whether or not Doyle donated 5,000 or 500 dollars. Both of which would have been an enormous amount of money at the time. 

Church of the Healing Shrine

For three decades the Spiritualist Church of the Healing Shrine was one of the most active and well attended Spiritualist Churches in Rochester. The Church was founded and lead by Rev. Alice M. Paige. 

I unfortunately couldn't find too many personal details about Rev. Alice, but what I did find was fascinating and makes a picture of a woman dedicated to serving the community of Rochester. Newspaper archives show Mrs. Alice Paige serving in various Rochester Churches affiliated with the General Assembly of Spiritualists in 1940, and about a year later was ordained with the General Assembly of Spiritualists as a Reverend.

Rev. Alice chartered her Church as the Spiritualist Church of the Healing Shrine with the General Assembly of Spiritualists. Originally meeting in her home, the Church of the Healing Shrine moved into the location of what was previously known as The Spiritualist Church of True Brotherhood, or the Mother Harrs Church. This was the original location of Divine Inspiration which had been acquired by the General Assembly. 

The Church of the Healing Shrine operated out of this location until about 1949 where services were held in the Milner Hotel. Eventually the Church came to mainly hold services in Rev. Alice's home on Kenwood Ave. 

The Church was incredibly active, with Sunday and Wednesday Night Services, Bible Study, regular Seances, and Monday evening Classes on Spiritualism. The Church had guest speakers and mediums from many other Spiritualist Churches around the country, as well as Canada and England. 

The last recorded service in the Newspaper archives was in September 1965. Rev. Alice passed away in 1976 at 87 years old, her body was laid to rest in Mt. Hope Cemetery. 

Christian Spiritualist Church

Rev. Mabel Hammel began her ministry in her youth while living in Sheffield, England and received her ordination in the United States with the General Assembly of Spiritualists. Rev. Mabel served on the Board of Directors of the General Assembly and spent much of her time serving in Spiritualist Churches in Central and Western New York. 

In 1937 Rev. Mabel became the Minister of the Christian Spiritualist Church of Utica, and also opened a second location of her Church in Rochester, also named the Christian Spiritualist Church. 

Rev. Mabel held services in the Rochester location from her home on Troup Street, and also from the Hotel Seneca. Rev. Mabel served as a Medium and Lecturer in several of the Rochester area Churches until she passed away on February 7th 1963.

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.