Rev. LeRoy E. Zemke hails from Wausau, Wisconsin where he was born 72 years ago, April 24, 1938, to German parents, Emil H. & Bertha Zemke. He has a brother Donn and sister Janet.

He was educated at Trinity Lutheran Parochial School through first eight grades, then attended Wausau High School in Wausau.  An early love of theater, music, speech events, piano, voice and chorus showed up in many school and church settings.  He studied piano for approximately 5 years beginning at 7 years with the intention to become a classical pianist.  Organ music was also a favorite and LeRoy recalls unusually clear memories from the age of one, his first soul revelation, a strong connection to and deep resonance with a huge pipe organ at Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau.  The second is a memory of standing upright in his mother’s lap with an intent focus upon the minister who was officiating the service, when another major soul flash of intuition occurred.  As the minister went about the duties of his office on the church rostrum, LeRoy inwardly knew and saw himself as performing those tasks in his lifetime.  The how, when, and where was not clear then, but the inner knowing was!

His spiritual, metaphysical interests seriously began in his 12th year and continued throughout his teenage years.  He experienced a major spiritual healing of what was medically diagnosed as a “nervous disorder” at 13 thru the agency of the late Lucia Herman, an R.N. turned psychic, and magnetic healer whose influence was significant in his life.  She became, in effect, his first spiritual teacher, introducing him to the entire mystical and metaphysical world.

LeRoy recalls reading “every book in her library,” including those of such authors as W.T. Stead, Edgar Cayce, Ernest Holmes, Charles Filmore, Arther Findlay, Manley Palmer Hall, Annie Besant, Charles Leadbetter, Leslie Weatherhead, Helena P. Blavatsky and Alice Bailey.  One book stood out, however ... Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, which still remains a personal favorite.

His metaphysical studies were formally instituted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the Psychic Sciences Churches of America (2 yr. course of study) while attending the University of Wisconsin Madison campus and Chesterfield Seminary, Chesterfield, Indiana, where he was ordained in 1960.  In its hey-day, Chesterfield’s Seminary program was perhaps one of the single most significant broad based metaphysical institutes of its kind in America.

Rev. Zemke met Rev. Laurine J. C. Stroud, co.-founder of the Temple of the Living God, at the Seminary’s 1960 winter program outreach in Bradenton.  She became one of his teachers and ultimately a major mentor. Under her influence, Rev. Zemke was helpful in supporting the founding of the Temple of the Living God in 1960. Eight months after the Temple opened, two of its founding ministers resigned, and he was asked to become co-pastor with Rev. Stroud on April 16, 50 years ago.  He continued to study with Rev. Stroud and many others after relocating to Florida in 1961.

Rev. Zemke pursued his college education at the University of Wisconsin (Wausau Extension Center) and then matriculated at the University of Wisconsin Madison Campus, Madison Wisconsin 1956 - 59.

College studies focused on the arts, English, Public Address, German, French, Reader’s Theater, music (voice) and speech pathology.  He graduated ultimately from University of South Florida in Tampa, in 1965, with a B.A. Speech.  From the very beginning of his public ministry Rev. Zemke has been invited to travel to bring his teachings, counseling and unique talents to different areas of this country.  From New York City, to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Monterrey/ Carmel, Phoenix and Denver, including America’s heartland, Chicago, Omaha, Milwaukee, Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta and many other places and cities, he has traveled to nearly every state in America, including Hawaii and Alaska both professionally and for personal renewal as well.

He’s spoken and taught classes at some of the largest Unity Churches in America including the Golden Pyramid in Houston, Texas, Unity of Birmingham and Unity church of Dallas, Texas. Additionally he’s taught at Methodist, Presbyterian churches and offered classes in various Catholic schools and other universities around America.

His teaching has spanned 50 years, both locally, nationally and internationally. Rev. Zemke has taught and conducted seminars in Zurich (Switzerland), England (College of Psychic Studies in London) in Bimini, in Egypt (1978) and all over the U.S. He’s presented classes in Spiritualism, exploring the Archetypes, 4 levels of Intuitive Training, spiritual and esoteric healing, and extensive seminars on the place of dreams in our spiritual life. He has also spoken at many Science of Mind Ministries and a host of independent interfaith and metaphysical ministries all across America.

Across the years, he has appeared on local radio and television as well as in Arkansas, Atlanta, California, Omaha, Nebraska, North Carolina.  He’s presented at many local chapters of the Toastmasters throughout the State, Rotarians and the Kiwanis Clubs, including private groups.  Both business and social organizations have engaged his unique speaking and teaching ability.

A frequent conference participant and presenter, Rev. Zemke has spoken and taught 4 - 5 day seminars at many spiritual retreats in Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida (West Palm Beach) and of course, here at the Temple.

Always his message is universal emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings, the oneness of The All Knowing Omnipresent Source of All Life and the possibility for all sentient beings to arise to their highest good within the scope of their lifetime given the right choices and opportunities for such growth!

Rev. Zemke’s first book Thoughts for Transformation was published in 1996! It’s an imminently readable series of weekly themes that can be used for reflection, meditation and spiritual study each week for 52 weeks.

LeRoy references an already transcribed list of classes, lectures and writings in the early stage of a next book intention.

A few personal highlights:

1962 Became acquainted with the late Ann C. Manser, who was the founder of the Pages of Shustah, an esoteric school offering Meditation Cards, and companion book, and 3 levels or series of beginning to advanced esoteric and metaphysical studies in written form. The study of this material continues throughout the U.S.

1965-66 Met his life partner the late M. Douglas Wilson in N.Y.C. Douglas moved to join LeRoy in summer, 1966.  Douglas joined the Temple and remained an active part of the church until his passing, Feb. 2008.

Other significant persons include his parents who always supported his creative, artistic and spiritual inclinations, his mentor, the late Rev. Clifford L. Bias who ordained him at Chesterfield, Indiana (1960), Louise W. Hanley, an English Professor at University of Wisconsin who inspired his love of language and also had a hand in sharing his early mystical and psychic nature through books and tutorial discussion.