Hold onto your tea and biscuits, folks—Croydon Spiritualist Church is officially hitting the big 1-0-0! While our official “I’m with the Union” anniversary is March 14th, we’re saving the real debauchery—err, I mean celebration—for our summer party in June.
A century is a long time. To put it in perspective, when we held our first affiliated meeting in 1926 at the New Gallery on Park Lane, the television hadn’t been invented yet. We’ve survived world wars, multiple building moves, and enough “committee discussions” to fill a library.
The Keepers of the Flame
We wouldn’t be here without some legendary characters. I want to send a massive shout-out to Mollie McManus, who served as our President before Alan Seymour. Mollie has been a bit under the weather lately, but her spirit and dedication are woven into the very fabric of this place. We’re sending her all the healing energy we can muster—Jenefer, make sure the Healing Group has her (and husband Peter) on the list!
And then there’s Alan Seymour. The man did 30 years on the committee—which, in church years, is roughly equivalent to three lifetimes. During his three years as President, he did something truly heroic (or masochistic): he waded through every single minute book and document up to 2021 to compile the “History of Croydon Spiritualist Church.” (Get your copy here). Between the lines there are some great stories here.
Gems from the Archives
Alan’s book is a treasure trove of “you couldn’t make this up” moments. A few highlights for those who haven’t lugged that 750-page masterpiece home yet:
- The Trust Tussle (1928): Our second President, Mr. Burrell, actually resigned because he refused to put the church in trust with the SNU. The committee basically said, “Thanks for your service, but we’re doing it anyway,” and forged ahead with the Union to secure our home for Spiritualism for all time. Smart move—probably.
- The £900 Gamble (1934): Back in the Great Depression, the SNU handed us £900 to build our Bedford Park premises. In 1930s money, that was like winning the lottery. We’ve always been better together than alone.
- Famous Fans: From Archdeacon Colley to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, we’ve had some heavy hitters walking our church halls. We aren’t just a local club; we’re a historic landmark of the movement.
The Next 100 Years: New Rules, New Vibe
As we look toward our second century, the landscape is shifting. The Charity Commission has updated the rules, and frankly, they’re not optional. We’ve got to be more than just a “closed circle” of friends; we need to be a community hub. More about that at the AGM.
Whether it’s opening our doors wider for local outreach or making sure our governance is as sharp as a medium’s evidence, we’re evolving. The first 100 years were about building the foundation. The next 100? They’re about making sure that foundation serves everyone in Croydon who’s looking for a bit of “Light and Truth.”
See you all at our events, including the AGM on March 21 (we may have some edible comestibles including cake for those that show up), and the party in June!
