History of City of Light

   The City of Light Spiritualist Church was legally formed in September 2005. Patricia Price, Steven Bennett, Ginny Vigrass, Richard Shelley, Kurt Doerflinger and Kathy Doerflinger were the founding members that met in August of 2005 to set up the principles and philosophy of the church. Together they formed a Spiritualist Church that would honor the Free Thinkers of the 1800s that came to the Cassadaga area to establish a platform of liberty and freedom. City of Light Spiritualist Church is inclusive, has a free platform and membership is open to all. We turn no one away who wants to join us. We believe in the Law of Attraction and honor those attracted to our Church..                             

    The name of the church was an inspiration from the 1903 name of the Lily Dale Assembly. On May 9, 1903 with Mrs. Abby Pettengill as the new president of the board, the former Cassadaga Lakes Free Association was renamed “The City of Light”. The book Proud Beginnings states that a directive from the board said “… it is intended that LIGHT shall be thrown on all subjects, it was decided to call it the City of Light Assembly”, stating “I am striving to make a paradise of the City of Light, where the weary and sorrowing of earth may find comfort, health and happiness.”

    The Lily Dale Assembly, a religious corporation, recognizes The City of Light Spiritualist Church for Assembly membership requirements if members of our church wish to join the Lily Dale Assembly, however buying a house in Lily Dale and leasing property requires more than just church membership. Check with the Lily Dale Assembly office for details on requirements, 716-595-8721.

We honor Lily Dale and its long commitment to holding the light for spirit communication and spiritual healing. City of Light Spiritualist Church has its 501 (C ) 3 status from the Federal Government and is therefore tax exempt. We meet on East Street at the Fire Hall in Lily Dale, NY from May to October on the last Sunday of the month at 5:30pm in the Lily Dale Fire Hall with fellowship that follows every service in the Picnic Pavilion. We hope to be a church without emphasis on politics or money or secrets and always keep our focus on being a spiritual community and spiritual family for each other