The Congregation for the Light, commonly referred to by its members as “The Light,” is a religious organization that has operated in the United States for several decades. Although its modern public presence became more apparent in the 1960s, the group’s internal tradition traces its origins to 19th-century England.
According to the organization’s account, a husband and wife known as “The Wyeths” experienced a simultaneous dream in which divine truths and sacred symbols were revealed to them. These revelations form the foundation of the group’s oral tradition, as the Congregation does not maintain formal sacred texts.
Over time, the organization established a small but committed membership estimated at approximately 200 individuals. Its primary centers of activity have been in New York, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.
For many years, the group operated out of a brownstone in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood before relocating its headquarters to Harrison, New York, in 2017. Leadership has passed through several chairmen, including Morris Kates in the 1960s and 1970s, followed by Joseph Denton, and later Tom Baer, who assumed leadership in 2001.
The belief system of the Congregation for the Light developed as a blend of apocalyptic expectations, New Age concepts, and unconventional interpretations of history. Central to its doctrine is the belief that members are reincarnated beings who have remained connected across thousands of lifetimes.
The group teaches that its members descend from a “master Aryan race” said to have lived on the lost continent of Atlantis and that humans once resided on the moon. Additional teachings include the existence of ancient races, such as a so-called “blue race,” which they believe was eventually eradicated.
Karma and reincarnation provide the primary framework through which members interpret life events. Illness and misfortune are understood not as products of genetics or environment, but as consequences of actions taken in previous lives. For example, the group teaches that a child who dies before the age of 13 does so as a result of suicide in a former incarnation. Children are not regarded as fully human until reaching their 13th birthday, at which point formal indoctrination into the group’s teachings begins.
Daily life within the Congregation is shaped by a high degree of separation from outside society and adherence to detailed behavioral expectations. Members are generally discouraged from associating with non-members, referred to as “know-nots.”
Weekly meetings are mandatory and held every Thursday evening. Absences for higher education or travel are typically not allowed, and vacations are restricted to the month of August.
During meetings, members listen to sermons delivered by the group’s leader but are prohibited from taking notes or independently reading doctrinal materials. The organization also enforces aesthetic guidelines. Household decorations that do not incorporate approved sacred symbols, such as an owl or a cross marked with an “X,” are discouraged.
Social relationships within the Congregation are closely regulated, particularly regarding gender roles and marriage. The group practices arranged marriages, often pairing young women with significantly older men. Higher education is frequently discouraged, especially for women, to ensure continued participation in meetings and to limit external influence. The organization also maintains a strict position against homosexuality.
Leaders have described homosexuality as a legacy of the Roman Empire, and members have reportedly been instructed to end same-sex relationships in favor of partnerships within the group. Preparation for an anticipated apocalyptic event is a central aspect of the group’s worldview. Members believe an imminent doomsday will precede their reincarnation on a planet called “Nay.”
As part of this preparation, some male members have participated in “Light Patrol” activities, which include survival training and instruction in the use of automatic firearms. This expectation of an impending end has historically shaped daily decisions. Members have reportedly neglected long-term financial planning as well as routine medical and dental care.
The Congregation operates as a tax-exempt religious organization, with reported income derived from member donations and inheritances from deceased followers. The group presents itself as a rational and responsible way of life.
Former members, however, have raised concerns about their experiences. Allegations from those who have left include claims of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as the use of corporal punishment. Some former members report long-term psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and have described the organization’s internal environment as coercive and restrictive.
In the present day, the Congregation for the Light continues to function with limited public visibility. Its relocation from Manhattan in 2017 further reduced external scrutiny.
Key Sources:
Briquelet, K. (2014, November 2). Inside Manhattan’s secret ‘cult.’ The New York Post.
Leigh, C. (2018, August 7). Manhattan’s Secret Cult: Congregation For The Light. Medium.
Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements 