Liverpool Spiritualist National Union Church - The Early Years

The first organised meeting of spiritualists in Liverpool, was made somewhere around the year of 1865, at Walls Temperance Hotel. Twenty-four names were put down as members of the new body; it was named the Psychological Society.
Séances with the Davenport Bros and lectures by Miss Emma Hardinge (later Mrs E.H. Britten) and Mr James Burns, editor of the “Medium and Daybreak” aroused public interest and laid down the foundation of the present Spiritualist National Church - Daulby Street.

Towards the close of 1870, Mr J.J. Morse gave a series of week night meetings at Bohn’s Caledonia Hotel in Stafford Street. These were later followed by services in the Co-operative Hall in Camden Street and also in the Islington Assembly Rooms.

With a continuous supply of speakers being obtained, more respectable accommodation was sought. The elegant Meyerbeer Hall in Hardman Street was used and also the Latterly Rodney Hall until 7th June 1885, when the move to the present site was made.

Daulby Hall was dedicated “To the Glory of God and the Spirit World”, by Mrs Emma Hardinge Britten on 14th June 1885.
In 1894 the name of the society was changed to Liverpool Society of Spiritualists, this being altered in 1921 to the Spiritualist National Church Liverpool.

In May 1941, the church was destroyed by war time bombing, with only parts of the library being salvaged. A large house in Village Street - Everton was rented, to enable the church to continue to function.

In 1954, the War Damage Commission granted permission for the building of the present church on the same site, a re-dedication service was held on 23rd October 1954 by Mr Percy Wilson M.A.

Members of the church have become active within the Spiritualists’ National Union, and the Lyceum Union, four having become Presidents of both unions, and one an International President.

June 1985 marked a very special milestone - “OUR CENTENARY YEAR”.
This was celebrated with two weeks of special events, lectures, a healing seminar, religious services and social evenings.
On the 12th and 13th July 1985 the Spiritualists National Union AGM Conference was held at Liverpool University, with many people attending the social evening at Daulby Street Church.

The Last Few Years

In the mid eighties, many lectures were arranged at the church. Our Union President - Mr Gordon Higginson, often used to come to give a lecture, as did some of our great teachers of the eighties. There used to be over one hundred people in attendance, not only from Liverpool, but also people from other churches as well. These lectures were very popular and continued for a few years. The church still has an awareness class today, which is very popular.

There are many people over the years who have given great service to our church, but most of us here today remember our last three Presidents. All three ladies have different personalities, but they all worked so hard with one aim, to keep the doors open, to welcome people and to teach people about spiritualism. Without all the Spiritualists of the past, we wouldn’t have our church today.

Over the last few years there has been a lot more interest in Spiritualism, and we are finding more and more younger people are coming to our church, not just to services but also to workshops.
Our open circle attendances are always very good; we normally have between seventy and eighty people attending. On occasions, we have had over one hundred people in attendance.

For the last few years we have been having Extravaganzas once a month. They have raised a lot of money, not only for our church, but also for other charities as well.
A building fund was started and lots of mediums have helped the church with specials, private sittings, and other activities. People have also given very generous donations, and people have given up their time to do jobs in the building, or given their time to do some cleaning, all of which has helped the church to move on.

In October 2006, plans were made to have some major repairs and improvements done to the church. At the AGM in March 2007, the members agreed to have all the work done. The work stated in April 2007 and took over eighteen months to complete, some major changes were made ……

The toilets in the front basement were taken out, and replaced by two toilets (one a disabled toilet) in the front foyer. All the steel windows were replaced by white upvc double glazed windows, a new sign was erected, and a new kitchen and office were made.  A new side entrance was also created, a lot of electrical work done, and the church was re-decorated with new carpets in most rooms. A fire alarm system was also installed and new shutters were installed on all the doors.

In 2010, we will be celebrating one hundred and twenty-five years of Spiritualism in Liverpool. Without all the hard work, and dedication of our pioneers, we would not have such a wonderful church as we have today. I am sure they are still with us in church, and are as pleased as we are with our re-dedication of the church. Thank you to all our pioneers, and friends seen and unseen that have helped us to make our church what it is today.