Bournemouth National Spiritualist Church History

At the beginning of last century, around 1904, a Mr John Walker and three friends - Mr F S Blake and two brothers, Percy and William Street, started a development circle with the leader and medium being John Walker. He was a good trance and physical medium, and sometimes, this physical power was very dominant. Objects were moved about at the request of the sitters, causing a lot of interest and at times, amusement.

This went on for some time until one night, a Spirit Control came through their leader and said, “Well boys, you’ve had your fun, now you must get down to serious work.” He gave them to understand that they were to help lay the foundations for a church, which was to be under the control of a band of workers from the spirit side of life. They were to be used as the mouthpiece through whom they hoped to pass to earth, some of the knowledge they had acquired.

When they had developed far enough, they started meetings in a small studio now occupied by the Charminster Road Post Office.

The Society was opened in 1905. They shortly moved to premises in what was then called Town Hall Avenue, where the Sunday services were held in a café. It was here that Vincent N. Turvey, an author, did so much work. Some time later a Mr Hiscock and a Mrs Hayter, who had been members for some time, opened the church which is still doing good work in Charminster Road today.

The Membership was now steadily growing. After various changes, we settled for a time in the Wilberforce Halls, Holdenhurst Road, and here we started to form ourselves into a church, allying ourselves with the Spiritualists’ National Union. Rules were formed and an organised Council and membership established. On leaving Wilberforce Hall in 1920-1921, we went to the Theosophical Rooms in Lansdowne Road.

We had now been wandering about for some time, and at a committee meeting we arranged that the committee members were to search and visit all premises, which might prove suitable.

Moving to Bath Road

After some time, the President, found the house known as Streate Place, which had been a doctor’s house and had a waiting room and surgery on the Bath Road entrance. Having been purchased by the Misses Wadlow for the sum of £6,000 and presented to the Bournemouth National Spiritualist Church, Streate place was used as a hall, library and healing sanctuary. The surgery and waiting room part of the building was converted for use as a church. On 5th June 1924 Mr Ernest Oaten, who was then the Editor of the “Two Worlds” magazine, officially opened the Church. Mr Frank Blake became resident minister Mr Frank Bessant took his place as President.

By 1956 the church building was beginning to perish along with ventilation and acoustic issues. A building fund was set up, as a complete re- design of the entire church was needed. This included raising the roof level, adding dormer windows, stained glass windows and the addition of a tower and spire and pipe organ. This was designed by John Austin and partners and completed by building contractors Daws Ltd. The church had been transformed into what was described as “a new landmark for Bournemouth”.

In 1988 it was decided to sell the adjoining Streate place and the rear half of the church was converted into a hall with folding partition doors. This meant the removal of the pipe organ to make way for a kitchen. A new side extension was constructed to house an entrance lobby, cloakrooms and a library in the form we can see today.

Commencing in 2010 the church has seen further refurbishment. This has included new fixed seating, outside paving and alterations to the platform. The kitchen and toilet areas have been refurbished and the re-decoration of the church. It is hoped this beautiful church will be preserved for many years to come.