History

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRIGHTON & HOVE CENTRAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH.

The oral history strongly informs us that likeminded spiritual people have been meeting together for over one hundred years. In 1901 some of these early Spiritualists’ met in a home environment and soon became an established church in 1903. Just before the turn of the century early Spiritualism was a rather an ‘under the counter’ activity. Meetings began to be held more openly and amalgamation of these various little groups formed into larger organisations, one being the Spiritualist Society. In 1925 this Society splintered and some of these smaller groups reformed.

1925, earliest written research to date informs us of Brighton & Hove Central Church and the first President was Mr. Hotton. Our first rental of the Athenaeum Hall in North Street took place in April 1925. This venue seated 450 people. We continued to meet there for many years.

Spiritualism was truly coming into its own at this time. Maurice Barbanell, for one, visited our church in 1926. People were like sponges, absorbing so much information on all aspects of Spiritualism and of different phenomena.

Visiting mediums, speakers etc. travelled miles to spread this knowledge. They came from Northampton, Birmingham, Wales etc.

Joan & Ralph Walton were church members at this time. They were great friends with Maurice Barbanell and Joan ran the Brighton Central Lyceum for a while and two of Joan’s daughters had their Naming Ceremony in this church whilst at the Athenaeum Hall.

We affiliated with the Spiritualists’ National Union in 1941. In the 1960’s the local council decided to widen the road in North Street. We found ourselves homeless when they pulled the Athenaeum Hall down. But following our second principle, The Brotherhood of Man we were offered a lifeline by Brotherhood Gate Church; we shared their premises. This continued between 1961 – 1965.

On 7th November 1965 we moved into a room in Norfolk Terrace, Brighton. The current President of Brotherhood Gate, Betty Horne, was once a Brighton Central Church committee member some 25 years ago.

Just to name a few, some of Spiritualism’s most revered mediums such as Ursula Roberts MSNU was a frequent visitor to our church giving many demonstrations of trance mediumship through her guide Ramadan.

Ursula endeavoured to serve the church even during her latter years when she was quite ill. Former President Lyndi Molyneux, paid tribute at her funeral and memorial service held in Chichester.

Coral Polge, prominent Psychic Artist held the very same regard for this church.

Another is Colin Fry, a fine medium who now spreads the word of Spirit through another medium ‘the television’. He also has never forgotten his loyalty to our very small church and continues his services here to date.

We are still visited by notable mediums, please forgive us as there are too many to mention, and following in their father’s footsteps continue to give great evidence of continued survival from our platform. For a small church seating only 55 people it is pleasing to know our church is never considered too small for visiting mediums used to much larger venues.

In 1978 under the Presidency of Mrs. Florence Jemi, the time had come to purchase our own premises and 9/10 Boundary Passage was chosen. This venue was tucked away in a very discreet narrow alleyway. This passageway is actually the boundary for Brighton & Hove and was a perfect place for the Central Spiritualist Church.

The building had a very colourful past; the previous owners were also in the business of serving others and of bringing upliftment to all who entered the building. Spiritualists don’t do everything in the dark and neither did these two ladies, they kept a brothel in this little house of love.

Mr. Gordon Higginson MSNU former President of the Spiritualists’ National Union, a wonderful ambassador for the spirit realms dedicated this church on 16th December 1978. Mrs. Jemi and her committee created a very lively church with many sociable events as well as services and educational activities. Tragically, Mrs. Jemi was involved in a fatal road accident on 9th November 1990. Due to these circumstances Mr. Edward Sayers and Mr. Derick Marney were asked to form a caretaker committee and stood for one year. They became President and Vice President respectively. Following this Mrs. Linda West became President for 3 years and then Ms. Lyndi Molyneux took over as President for 7 years 1995-2001. It was during Lyndi’s presidency that the church had to be re-roofed; this was due to rotting timbers and storm damage. Lyndi is now our Honorary President.

Sylvia MacRobb was elected President, but due to ill health could not continue after her first year 2001-2002.

Sylvia ascended to spirit this year. Colin Fry took Sylvia’s funeral service as they were long standing friends. Our church was filled with Sylvia’s funeral flowers for over 2 weeks filling the church with their pungent perfume.

Mrs. Maureen Romano is now the current President of the church in this capacity she gave a wonderful tribute to Sylvia at her funeral in Brighton. With her dedication to the spirit realms and to Spiritualism she is working hard to keep the church in good condition so that the community can continue to safely use the church. She is helping to create a warm, loving and welcoming atmosphere in this little house of God. She is working closely with the two local sister spiritualist churches and hopes to continue to be part of strengthening these bonds of unity between the local churches.

We have not mentioned all the previous presidents and other prominent people involved with, and those who have supported this church, but as stated this is a brief history and research continues. We intend to produce a book on the History of Brighton & Hove Spiritualist Church & Sanctuary of healing in the near future.

Thanks to Lesleigh Badgery, Maureen Romano, Joan Walton and Lyndi Molyneux for their contribution on the history of the church.

"We are still researching the history of our church" If you have any contribution, please contact:

Email:- Brighton & Hove Spiritualist Church and Sanctuary of Healing