The Father of Harlem Spiritualists

Rev. John White is a remarkable figure that I learned about in my research into Spiritualist history. He was a highly educated and cultured man, and dedicated much of his life to teaching and preaching Spiritualism. 

He held office in General Assembly of Spiritualists, fought against segregation in Spiritualist Churches, and became President of the National Colored Spiritualist Association. I couldn't find much regarding his early life, but I did find a good amount of information on him, including a picture of him, which in itself is a rare find. 

Rev. White studied at Wilberforce University, and in 1880 he entered the Institute of Fine Arts at Chicago, where he studied Painting. He was employed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, where he gained recognition and marked distinction within the ranks of the best copyists of his days, specifically in oil painting.

Rev. White was a member of several lodges and fraternal organizations, he was a founder of the Knights of Alpha and Ladies of Omega, a member of Elk-Gopher Lodge No. 105, St. Paul, Minn; the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Frederick Douglas Lodge No. 9005, St. Paul, Minn; Knights of Pythias, Pride of Minnesota Lodge, and  member of the Court of Calanthe, Minneapolis, Minn.

Rev. White was pastor of the Universal Spiritualist Church of New York City. He worked to promote Spiritualism among African-American communities of New York City, and was instrumental in organizing many Spiritualist Churches and assisting in the training and development of many Mediums and Healers for public ministry. His dedication as a missionary to spread Spiritualism in Harlem, earned him the title of the “Father of Spiritualists in Harlem.” 

Rev. White was eventually elected as a trustee on the board of the General Assembly of Spiritualists, which at the time was the New York State Auxiliary to the National Spiritualist Association. 

He became known through out the country when in 1922 the National Spiritualist Association debated in convention to segregate Spiritualist Churches. A quote from the New York Age described him as "laboring to avert a parting of the ways while he is a champion in the defense of the colored members." 

During a National Convention of the National Spiritualist Association (now known as the NSAC), a motion was proposed by a faction of Pro-Segregationist delegates that the National Spiritualist Association should adopt an official policy of full racial segregation, and vote to disaffiliate African-American members. 

After days of heated debate the convention voted to create an auxiliary for African-American Spiritualists, which would continue to be chartered through the National Association, thus allowing members to retain their membership with the National Association. 

Although at the time this was considered a victory by most, several delegates withdrew from the convention in protest, believing that the compromise for unity came at the cost of sacrificing of the principles of Spiritualism which preach the equality of all people. This dissenting movement would lead to an era of flourishing of African-American run independent Spiritualist Churches and Assemblies. 

Rev. White was elected as President of the National Colored Spiritualist Association. He took this as an opportunity for African-American Spiritualists to build up their own communities, practice self-determination, and most importantly spread the message of Spiritualism. 

He worked tirelessly as a missionary traveling throughout the United States; while in the South he visited Missouri, Florida, Louisiana, and in the North visited mostly urban areas such as Detroit, Chicago, and New York. Rev. 

White passed away at age 70 on June 21, 1926 in Harlem Hospital after a lifetime of dedication to helping others and preaching and teaching the message of Spiritualism.