Formally Hamilton Spiritualists

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 MOUNT GROVE CH41 2UJ

 MOUNT GROVE CH41 2UJ

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Formally Hamilton Spiritualists, although we may of changed our name over the decades, our doors have been opened since the early 1900's right here in Wirral. We're now ​​​Birkenhead Spiritualist Church® and have been since the mid 1970's. Today we have grown to offer more services, from Open Circle, Divine Service, to Weddings, Namings and more.
We are over 100 years old.........

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It began over 100 years ago

Spiritualism began in Birkenhead over 100 years ago. A long time ago, but it still exists and is very much alive in Birkenhead today and interwoven into Spiritualist history. Under the name Hamilton Spiritualists we began opening our doors approximately as early as 1903. We enter a small room, the lighting is dim, there is a buzz of excitement in the air, and we can hear the voices of the past getting stronger.

1912

The Journey

We start our journey with the Hamilton Spiritualists who were situated in Hamilton Square, and on the 1st of October 1912 at 8pm the Hamilton Spiritualists were holding an Annual General Meeting. We have Mr George Mathison in the chair. The election details show that Mr R.G. Roberts was duly elected President and Mr W.J. Powell was the Secretary and treasurer Mr J Lane. The hand-written minutes helped to understand the intricate link between the president and his committee. The president symbolises the captain, and the church represents a ship destined to navigate the seas of life. The committee are the crew of the ship and discipline was strict, indeed, in 1913 the secretary was suspended for the rest of the year for neglect of duty and misrepresentations. 

1916

Vibrant Community

The Hamilton Spiritualists were a vibrant community facing the challenges of that generation. in 1916 Spiritualists rallied in support of the Spiritualists’ Ambulance Motor Fund collected £10.16.07p and this is approximately equivalent to £1,220 pounds today. This was acknowledged by J.J. Morse who was the treasurer of the fund at this time. In July 1916, the president reminded people that mediums were being arrested, and that all exponents and demonstrators of mediumship must keep within the law. In Dec 1916 with a letter from the owner of the property and they were requiring £35 pounds a year lease and the lease were to expire on 18th May 1917. A difficult time to navigate the church, but it carries on regardless.

1927

The Bright Side

To look on the bright side of our history, the church held naming ceremonies and we had a strong connection with the Lyceum which is a Spiritualist Sunday School. The minutes recorded of the Lyceum show us that they were celebrating their coming of age in 1927 and this gives us some indication that we, the Hamilton Spiritualists are much older than first thought. At the back of our church hall, you will see the Lyceum Banner it is double sided. On one side we have the Hamilton Spiritualists and on the other Birkenhead Lyceum. Genuine pride resonates throughout the documents that the Lyceum was regarded as the best in the country. It is recorded that members were encouraged to search for a new church or land on which to build a new church. There were several opportunities for purchasing land or another building, but the President, Mr. R. G. ROBERTS and his committee accepted that it would not be an easy decision. But it was one they had to get right, although faced with eviction we continued to support social change and to support others within their community. Collections on behalf of the Mayors Fund for distressed miners. Members were encouraged to vote for the abolition of capital punishment. They struggled with leaking roofs vandalised windows and poor collections, and the social unrest and between 1910 to 1914 whereby strikes were usually spontaneous and had a lasting effect on society. During 1918 the Spanish Flu decimated communities and across the world with an estimated 50 million people died. We only need to remember the Covid pandemic of 2020 to understand the complications of this virus

1929

St John's Church

By October 5th, 1929, Mr Roberts put to the membership that a building had been found in Oliver Street, which was a mission hall formerly St John’s Church. The building was accompanied with four cottages and with ample seating, however the building had been vacant for many years and sadly neglected. Members voted 42 to 3 against and the result was to pursue the building. The church had to temporarily move all church property and the kindness of Mr & Mrs Hamilton opening their home to Spiritualists so they could continue to worship and hold circles. Even the Lyceum supported the mother church and subscribed monies to it. Finding the deposit for Oliver Street was a concern as the price was £900 plus a further 400 to cover for the decoration. The Church only had £600 pounds to its credit. We can only imagine the stress levels that the president and committee were going through. We needed a new home but problems raising funds was to turn to a blessing as the late Mr William Stephens bequeathed £100 to the church and as you come into our main foyer you will see a plaque dedicated to this gentleman’s generosity of spirit. This also opened a door as the building pool fund which was run by the Spiritualists’ National Union offered support and the transfer of registration from 46 Bridge Street to Oliver Street was completed.

1940

At War

It was to be several months before the formal service of inauguration which took place on Saturday 22nd November 1930. At the end of 1931 and early 1932 we find that Mr R.G. Roberts has taken his transition. Mr J Thompson was to take over as president and this gentleman was also in charge of the Lyceum. The demolition of the four cottages at the back of the church created more problems and squatters added to the headache. From 1940 there are no recorded minutes this was because once again Britain was at war and there is a strong possibility that many families were evacuated. However, in 1943 Mr J Thompson the president carries on the responsibility of maintaining the church and we have Mr W Kneale mentioned in the minutes. The family of Mr Kneale are with us today and I am sure they feel immensely proud of their association with the church. The original principles by Emma Hardinge Britten (1823-1899) that you see in our main hall was painted by Mr Kneale. During the war, the church did sustain war damage, and in April 1945 a service for V.E. day took place. Even though the church was low on funds the members and committee acknowledged the second principle of ‘The Brotherhood of man’ and raised £62 pounds for Acoustics to help Deaf People. In 1948 the committee and members decided to appoint the Spiritualist National Union as a Sole Trustee. This means that all churches whatever the denomination are all in trust. This avoids any illegal disposing of church property and its effects. The church is to be safeguarded for the benefit of future Spiritualists’ and Spiritualism. By 1949 the news that the Lyceum had to close, and this was due to low attendance, which is unfortunate as children were given a strong foundation in which to grow and become responsible adults. Sadly, most of our Lyceums across the country are now closed.

2026

Fast Forward

By the late 60’s the town of Birkenhead was earmarked for redevelopment and we moved again taking all their life’s experiences and they finally moved into Mount Grove Birkenhead on the 12th of January 1974. Now, 50 years later and true to form the Birkenhead Spiritualist Church® battled with prejudice, social upheavals, and changes in group dynamics of the committees that followed through to the present day. Presidents have come and gone, and several have taken their transition. Nevertheless, I am sure that those who have passed on are here with us today. Spiritualism in Birkenhead has grown from a line of dedicated people who showed strength of character and generosity of spirit beyond measure. They met the challenges head on they stood tall to the prejudice and misunderstanding. Now that you have our history and as the current president of Birkenhead Spiritualist Church®. I wish to say that I have had the privilege to be able to read the documents that held so much history, culture, and genuine human endeavour. We will continue to celebrate the rededication of this sanctuary that has helped so many people over the last fifty years and more. We seek the guidance of the Supreme Being and the Spirit world and we acknowledge the wisdom and continued support in all we achieve now and in the future. Some of you here may not have shared in our current building of this Church but you have shared in the acknowledgement of many who have walked through our doors both seen and unseen. We are now a registered religious charity and rely on donations and continued support to continue providing our services now and into the next 100 years.

NEW FLASH

News Update 
April 1918

This is an original scan and full document of The International Pyschic Gazette, No. 56, Vol 5. On Monday 8th April 1918 an event at Hamilton Spiritualist Church, Birkenhead, took place involving a medium called Miss Barton. R. G. ROBERTS, President at the time reports that during her mediumship a deceased German cavalry officer purportedly communicated through her. Whatever we make of the claimed phenomenon, historically it establishes that the church was holding organised mediumistic meetings in Hamilton Square Birkenhead dating back over at least 100 years ago to date. 

The Hamilton Spiritualist Church has an entry! 
Exact reference:
Issue: No. 56, Vol. 5
Date: May 1918
Printed page: 188 (PDF page 22)
Column: Left-hand column, towards the bottom of the page
Section: “​Spiritual Dynamics”

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“​President, R. G. ROBERTS”

NEW FLASH

News Update 
November 1920

This is an original scan of The Two Worlds, No. 1722, Friday 12th November 1920. ​The Two Worlds was a British Spiritualist newspaper, rather than an ordinary local newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1887 by the prominent Spiritualist Emma Hardinge Britten. 
1887 → 1960: Principally a weekly Spiritualist newspaper.
1960 onward: It became a monthly magazine.
2018: Two Worlds was incorporated into Psychic News.

The Hamilton Spiritualist Church has an entry! 
Exact reference:
Issue: No. 1722, Vol. XXXIII
Date: Friday, 12 November 1920
Printed page: 616 (PDF page 4)
Column: right-hand column, roughly the middle of the page
Section: “The Hanson G. Hey Testimonial”

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“The Hanson G. Hey Testimonial”

The 7 Principals

Spiritualism is a religion that believes in the eternal existence of the human soul. That we continue to exist and can communicate beyond the death of our physical bodies. The ‘Seven Principles’ are the core beliefs and central tenets Spiritualism is founded upon…

The Fatherhood Of God
The Brotherhood Of Man
The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels
The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul
Personal Responsibility
Compensation and Retribution Hereafter for all the Good and Evil Deeds done on Earth
Eternal Progress Open to every Human Soul
Explore The 7 Principals

Can you help us?

It's donations that help to keep us open and providing our services. Why do we need donations? The costs to keep our church and it's doors open are high, from lighting, heating, furniture and the up keep of the building to name a few. We appreciate all donations of any size.

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Mount Grove, Birkenhead, CH41 2UJ

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