The Temple of the Living God was first chartered by the Universal Spiritualist Association of Chesterfield, Indiana on September 25, 1960 by Rev. Laurine J.C. Stroud, Rev. Raymond P. Noegel and Rev. Lamar Keene. They drew the church’s name from 2 Corinthians 6:16 – “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
On February 2, 1999 the church was incorporated in the state of Florida as an independent, Interfaith Metaphysical Community Church and renamed Temple of the Living God of St. Petersburg, Inc.
The symbol of the sun is intended to be a Source of Light.
The planet (Sun) is the warming radiant light of our solar system, casting it’s rays upon all beings and all other forms of life, known and unknown to us.
As a symbol for TLG, the Sun is the nearest symbol of Divine Light, bringing the gift of the Creator of All Life towards all and offering its radiating influence to all. Whether we believe in a Creator or not, the Light of the Divine (by whatever name) is always available to everyone. It’s not a symbol for God, since God has no anthropomorphic form.
The beaten copper sunburst and the cedar shakes were donated to TLG in the late 1960s by Dr. Frances Farrelly, a medical intuitive and beloved TLG member.
TLG is an Interfaith Metaphysical Community for personal and spiritual growth located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
Our #1 Mission is to assist and support you through the journey of your personal spiritual awakening through education, healing, love and service.
Our purpose is to serve our community by providing opportunities for people of all faiths to join together in a spiritually supportive atmosphere.
We are dedicated to creating a safe space to allow you to explore your passions, find your purpose and honor the Divine that lives inside us all.
Through community connection we explore the commonality of what it means to be a spiritual being having a human experience.
We believe in the ineffable Presence, eternal and omnipresent power of God, the Infinite.
God is expressed in, through and as the life-giving force in the universe. God is the essential substance of the Cosmos. All forms of life, known and unknown, share this force (energy).
TLG embraces the belief in the Ten Commandments, as a guide for moral behavior. Members and friends of the Temple are free to follow the God of their inner most heart or “Higher Power” as they perceive that to be.
We also accept the Great Master Jesus and his teaching contained within the New Testament Bible and elsewhere as “The Way Shower” and “The Son of God”.
Jesus is seen as the “Universal Christ” who, by his example and teachings, shows us the way to obtain the very same Christ-Consciousness he possessed.
TLG Interim Senior Pastor
2015-present
Rev. Karmene M. Lusis, Interim Senior Pastor, provides a rich history of teaching, spiritual counseling, administrative experience, mentoring and an extensive love for the creative arts.
Throughout her time at the Temple, Rev. Lusis has taken on numerous roles, fulfilled various responsibilities, and provided support to the congregation, its members, and the Temple’s mission and values. Among the roles she has engaged in and continues to fulfill alongside her Pastoral duties are organizing and managing the Education department, overseeing Temple Events, coordinating Psychic Fairs, and leading the Healing Team, in addition to other diverse tasks where she generously offers her skills and dedication to enhance the Temple’s wellbeing.
Born and raised in Canada, Rev. Lusis has been a lifetime student of metaphysical teachings. Although brought up in the Lutheran faith, she also had an early interest in eastern philosophies, as well as, esoteric teachings, all of which she continued to explore following her move to St. Petersburg in 1982.
In 1985, Rev. Lusis received her Fine Arts degree from SPC in St. Petersburg, then pursued studies with Unity and Science of Mind. Her studies also included Dream Interpretation, Astrology, Animal Totems, Handwriting Analysis, Numerology, Chakra healing, et al. In 2000 she was ordained at the Temple of Love and Healing in St. Petersburg and later received her BA degree in the Metaphysical Healing Arts from the College of Metaphysical Studies in Clearwater, where she also became certified as a past life regression facilitator and Reiki Master.
Rev. Lusis’ professional work with both Unity and Science of Mind churches has been extensive, beginning in 1986. During the 1990s, she also served as a Unity Sunday School Teacher, Sound Team Member and Office Assistant.
In her travels she has served as a Musician, Songwriter, Workshop Facilitator, Teacher and Guest Speaker at Sunday services. From 2006 until 2015 she served on the Pastoral Staff at the Temple of Love and Healing. Her background of teaching includes Meditation, Healing, Self-Empowerment, Psychic Intuitive Development, Mediumship Development, Past Life Regression, Dancing, Sacred Movement, Art, Mandola studies and more.
From 1990 until 2015, under her “Spirit in Celebration©” Music and Healing Ministry, she performed at many Churches, Retreats, Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities, as well as provided individual healing sessions and counseling to those in need. She has also had the joy and privilege of musically opening for a number of Keynote Speakers, including Alan Cohen, Barbara Marx- Hubbard, Eckert Tolle and others. As a published songwriter recording artist, her music has been heard nationally and internationally. Rev. Lusis is also a published writer of Metaphysical teachings.
In 2015, Rev. Lusis joined the Temple’s Ministry Team. In 2016, Rev. Lusis applied for the Assistant Minister position and served under Rev. LeRoy E. Zemke for 6 months, after which she was
officially recognized as the Assistant Minister in February of 2017.
In 2019, the Board voted Rev. Lusis in as the Associate Pastor of the Temple of the Living God and she served alongside Rev. Zemke until his transition on February 5, 2025, after which Rev.
Lusis accepted the position as Interim Senior Pastor.
TLG Co-Founder &
Former Senior Pastor
1961-2025
In Memoriam – Reverend LeRoy Zemke, Co-Founder of the Temple; was a teacher, minister, and internationally known intuitive consultant. For over 56 years, Rev. Zemke had practiced and taught principles for effective living and increasing spiritual awareness. As a life-long student of esoteric studies, metaphysics, and world religions, he brought a powerful, insightful message to his professional work. He had helped countless numbers of people throughout the U.S. and Europe to discover direction, inner clarity and purpose for their lives.
Ordained in 1960, Rev. Zemke held an interdenominational degree in religious education and metaphysical studies from the Chesterfield Seminary and a B.A. degree from the University of South Florida. He was senior pastor of the Temple of The Living God in St. Petersburg, Florida. Rev. Zemke spoke and taught for businesses, colleges, metaphysical groups, and churches in the U.S. and abroad. His book, “Thoughts for Transformation” was critically acclaimed.
We celebrate his life, legacy & spiritual journey. We honor and salute his presence here with us for all these many years and continue to hold his memory dear to our hearts, knowing that his soul will continue to be a radiant force among us, guiding us into the future. April 1938 – Feb 2025
Rev. Mason was ordained in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia by the Rev. Faye Smith of the Church of Inner Harmony. Her formal studies in metaphysics began in 1981 and encompassed a wide range of subjects, including meditation, Reincarnation and Past Lives, Tarot and healing. She is also a Reiki Master.
A former public school educator and consultant, Rev. Mason has lived and worked in both Atlanta, Georgia and Paris, France. Since returning in 1993 to the Bay area, where she graduated from Boca Ciega High School and the University of South Florida, Rev. Mason has served at the Temple as a teacher, reader and healer and, from 2004 through 2014, as Assistant Pastor.
“Inclusive. Welcoming. Non-Judgemental. Open-Minded. Accepting. Uplifting. Fun!”
Rev. Gloria Standish, born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida; was ordained in 1985 through the Universal Church of the Master (UCM) and connected with the Spiritual Center. In 1980, Rev. Gloria visited the Temple and officially joined as a member in 1993.
Rev. Gloria, as the Temple’s Prayer Team Leader, who has a deep faith and a heart for people, has faithfully contributed to the ministry team as a healer, officiant for Sunday services, speaker during Sunday services, and correspondent for prayer chain & requests. She is one of the favored readers at our Bi-Annual Psychic Fair Showcases. Additionally, Rev. Gloria holds a position on our Executive Board of Directors as one of the Trustee’s.
“For the opportunity to bring Practical Spirituality by using Metaphysical Christianity in our daily lives.”
Rev. Marvin Shepherd shares his spiritual and creative talents here at the Temple. He also has successfully established four profitable businesses from scratch.
From 1996 to 1999, Rev. Marvin pursued his studies at Unity Village, earning 290 credits towards becoming a licensed Unity teacher, all while serving as a teacher with the YOU. On May 23, 1999, he was ordained in the Spiritualist movement and founded a church in Springfield, Ohio. Rev. Marvin continued his education at the College of Metaphysical Studies from September 2008 to June 2015, where he earned his master’s degree in Religious Metaphysical Studies. Since June 4, 2017, he has been a dedicated member of the Temple, generously offering his time. In addition to this, he also takes on the roles of Maintenance Coordinator and Temple Administrator.
“This Temple is a place of profound wisdom. Many people that come to TLG have matured in their understanding of Spirit and how Spirit works in their lives. That is revealed the moment you step into TLG.”
