Curious about a place where the veil between worlds thins? You have come to the right place. Right here stands Kingston Spiritualist Church. It is a beacon for those seeking connection beyond the physical realm.
Kingston Spiritualist Church welcomes all. The church operates according to the Spiritualist National Union rules. Its philosophy is based on The Seven Principles of Spiritualism.
Let’s step back to 1909. The Kingston Spiritualist Society began. An initial effort failed nine years prior. Mr. M Clegg, from the Lyceum Union, tried to start it. In 1912, Mr. Clegg succeeded. Spiritualists first gathered in Bishops Hall in Thames Street.
Advertisements mirrored today’s practices. “Two Worlds” magazine advertised mediums. In March 1926, Mr. Nickels of Luton was the medium. Lyceum was held at 3 pm. The Spiritualists’ Lyceum Union promoted SNU truths.
By January 1927, the church was still at Bishops Hall. Mr. Swami Ramayandas was the medium. Monthly healing services occurred alongside Friday free healing.
An article in “Two Worlds”, April 1927, announced a new church. Horace Leaf reported a large crowd on Villiers Road. They gathered to see Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lay the foundation stone. W J Humphries, the President, welcomed Conan Doyle. He asked Conan Doyle to add spiritual strength to the church. This strength would help them keep their platform clean.
Conan Doyle noted the rise of new Spiritualist churches. He humorously considered joining the Bricklayer’s Union. Conan Doyle highlighted key truths of Spiritualism. Immortality can be proved. Religious doubts may be cleared. It gives information about the next life. It brings comfort to the bereaved. It banishes fear of death.
Other stones were laid. Mr and Mrs W J Humphries did so. Miss A and Miss J Welbelove joined too. Members of the Church Committee also participated. The church began twenty years prior with small meetings. These meetings grew. They moved from homes to a public hall. Finally, they found a permanent home.
The new church could seat over 250 people. It was artistically designed. It would be finished in Atlas white to represent stone. It had cloakrooms and offices. A moveable partition allowed for more seats. The rostrum allowed freedom of movement.
The main upper window had a planned stained glass cross. It would cast a red shadow. The design changed. There is no cross. There is no dove at the top. The window may have been made in 1870. The central window shows Christ in Majesty. The right side shows the raising of Lazarus.
Other windows feature red crosses. The church began as a Christian Spiritualist church. Conan Doyle may have influenced this. Victor Field of Lewisham drew up the architectural plans. J W Humphries and A H Merryman signed the plan. G W Spinks was the contractor.
The Bishops Hall church began as a healing church. An advertisement in April 1927 promoted a healing service. The first advertisement for free healing at Villiers Road appeared later.
Harvest festival activities took place in September 1927. Mrs. Spence spoke on “Our Garden”. Mrs. Humphries was the medium. Mrs. Cannock spoke on “The Harvest”. The church was beautifully decorated. Gifts went to the sick.
Maurice Barbanell worked at the church three times. He was the channel for Silver Birch. He founded Psychic News. Mrs. Lestrange worked in May 1928. Rev Vale Owen lectured on Life after Death.
“American Teas” were held to raise funds. In Britain, tea invitations included table-turning. Spiritualism was popular with the middle and upper classes.
In August 1927, Miss “Tommy” Franks married Mr A S Marsh. The church was decorated. The service was taken by Mr Humphries. Mrs Merryman played the wedding march.
That same month, Mr and Mrs Sedgewick hosted a garden party. There were stalls, competitions, and community singing.
The church was opened and dedicated on September 17, 1927. Ernest W Oaten, editor of Two Worlds, officiated. Services were held with Ernest Oaten as the medium.
Kingston Spiritualist Church continues its mission. It advances spiritualism based on its seven principles. Regular services and mediumship demonstrations remain. All are welcome to experience the spirit. The objects of the church are to advance the religion and the religious philosophy of Spiritualism on the basis of the seven principles of Spiritualism.