meso-Tetrakis-(p-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin rare earth chlorides, Ln(TMOPP)Cl (Ln: Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb, Lu and H2TMOPP: tetrakis-(p-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin), were synthesized and characterized. Their composition, structure and properties were studied by elemental analyses, ultra-violet visible spectra, infrared spectra, luminescence spectra, molar conductances and thermal analysis. The four nitrogen atoms of the porphyrin are bonded to a central rare earth ion with four coordination numbers. The lanthanide ion lies above the porphyrin molecular plane and chloride ion is outside boundary of the coordination compound. Complexes are stable below 200℃ and do not contain small molecules (water or solvent). Ultra-violet visible and infrared spectra were recorded and some of spectral bands were assigned. Surface photovoltaic spectroscopy (SPS) and electric-field induced surface photovoltaic spectroscopy (EFISPS) were measured. The spectral bands were assigned. The photovoltaic response is similar to the UV-visible absorption spectrum, therefore corresponding to analogous electron transition process.