Lake Pleasant, Massachusetts, was the home of the New England Campmeeting Association (NESCA), founded in 1874. It is the oldest continuously existing Spiritualist center in the United States and was once the largest Spiritualist gathering place in the country.
Rev. G. Tabor Thompson was a Baptist minister from Philadelphia who became deeply interested in Spiritualism. Each summer, he traveled to Lake Pleasant, often staying in the cottage of John Wheeler of the Standard Sewing Machine Company.
Known as the “Psychic Songster,” Rev. Thompson was a prolific writer and composer whose hymns and publications were widely read and sung within Spiritualist communities.
In 1909, Rev. Thompson became President of NESCA. A philosophical disagreement arose—primarily regarding reincarnation. NESCA did not believe in reincarnation, viewing it as retrogressive and unproven, while Rev. Thompson and his followers believed reincarnation to be a learning vehicle that assists the soul’s progression toward perfection.
Unable to reconcile these views, Rev. Thompson and several members formed The National Spiritual Alliance.
On September 12, 1913, The National Spiritual Alliance of the United States of America was incorporated as a church corporation by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Today, TNSA remains an active Spiritualist center and nationally recognized denomination. Thousands of visitors come to Thompson Temple each year to participate in services, development circles, Psychic & Medium Fairs, classes, workshops, and community gatherings.