History of the Church

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.

Church exterior in the 1970s

Church interior in the 1980s

The last 40 years

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.

Since 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.