The record group is arranged in three series: Background, Church Activities, and Publications.
Father George W. Hurley (February 17, 1884-June 23, 1943), the founder of the Universal Hagar's Spiritual Church Association, was raised as a Baptist by his mother, Tina Hurley. At the age of seven he began to preach and challenge the traditional Baptist doctrine. He was ordained at the age of 11. After high school he went to Tuskegee Institute and Phelps Bible Hall Training School to receive ministerial training from Dr. E. J. Penny.
In 1918-19 Reverend Hurley met Father Elias D. Smith, founder of the Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. Hurley was moved by Father Smith and his teachings and consequently joined. After several years, he reached the level of Elder and the presiding Prince of Michigan, but became dissatisfied with the teachings of the Triumph Church. After this he briefly joined the International Spiritual Church, but again he was not completely content.
On September 23, 1923 he founded the Universal Hagar's Spiritual Association. Father Hurley was concerned with both racial and economic disparities. He created the Hagar's School of Mediumship and Psychology (1924) and the Knights of the All Seeing Eye (1934 with Prince Thomas Surbadger) as extensions to the church.
The Universal Hagar's Spiritual Church Association has a number of objectives, including but not limited to teaching "the deeper truths of God, to promote the study of the science, phenomena and philosophy of spiritual religion, and to develop the true spiritual life among its members so that all members...attain the highest state of spiritual experience in this life as true worshippers of God."
Prince Alfred Bailey of New York became the fourth President of Universal Hagar's Spiritual Association after Mother Hatchett's death in 1977. In 1980, Prince Bailey passed and Princess Georgia Latimer of Michigan, the fourth child of Father & Mother Hurley, became the President. Princess Ida Lee Childs of Ohio took the reins in 1994 after Princess Latimer's death. Princess Childs appointed Princess Shirley Aquart of New Jersey as Acting President in April 2005. Princess Aquart was later made President after the passing of Princess Childs in 2007.
In 2012, the UHSCA boasted over 30 temples and missions in 14 states--Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama -- and was headquartered at 555 South Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, Michigan 48217.
