Aylesbury Spiritualist Church
Aylesbury Celebrated 50 Years in 2018
How it all began
The history of Aylesbury National Spiritualist Church is very interesting; it all began in 1947 when Billy Elton started a Home Circle which was held at the Copper Kettle in Walton Street, Aylesbury, until 1952. The circle was successful and moved to the home of Mr & Mrs Taylor, during this period Mr George Chapman a member of the circle developed his healing gifts. Mr George Chapman went on to become a remarkable healer. Maurice Barbanell once commented about George Chapman; ‘When Spiritualism’s history comes to be written, the Lang/Chapman partnership which has brought health to thousands of sufferers after their cases were called “hopeless”, will contribute some of its most illumined pages’. George Chapman worked with an eminent surgeon called Dr Lang, from the other world. Dr Lang, whilst on the earth plane worked at a London Hospital. George’s son, Michael Chapman worked with his father from the age of 16; Paul is now in his sixties continuing with his healing work. George Chapman passed into spirit in the 2006.
So back to history of Aylesbury National Spiritualist Church - although there was a Greater World Christian Spiritualist Church in Castle Street, Aylesbury (which is not far from where we are today) it was felt there was a need for another Spiritualist Church in Aylesbury.
Through the mediumship of Mrs Blanche Bryant guidance was given as to where to find a hall for this purpose. After searching Aylesbury town Billy Elton found the Liberal Hall in Hampden Buildings, Temple Square, which turned out to be exactly as Mrs Bryant had described. The first service took place on Sunday 2nd December 1956. Later in December a meeting of the members was held and a committee was formed. The Church later became affiliated to the Spiritualists’ National Union. In 1957 Billy Elton took on the role of Founder President. The first Annual General Meeting was held in January 1958 with 13 members present. It was decided to hold healing services on a Thursday to try and attract more members. In November 1967 building began on the present day Aylesbury Spiritualist Church. The foundation stones were donated by Mr Nicholls, Mr Billy Elton, Mr Puddifoot and Mr & Mrs Bradford in memory of their personal loss. A service was held for the laying of the Foundation Stones taken by Mr Gunning, a Minister of the Spiritualists’ National Union. A stone was placed in the vestibule after the Church was built in memory of Mrs Pearce, who had donated all the bricks for the building.
The Opening Ceremony of the Church was conducted in June 1968 by the then Mayor of Aylesbury. The Church was full with many standing outside! After 15 years of hard work and money raising events the Church was able to repay the loan from the Spiritualists’ National Union Building Fund. In 1969 Billy Elton was ordained a Minister of the Union. In 1975 the Church started a Lyceum which was led by Miss Harper and colleagues who looked after the very young children. The Lyceum teachings also took into account nature walks, sports days and education on the theme of social conscience. During the ten years it ran, several young members passed Certificates of Recognition of the Union. Celebrations took place in 1993 to celebrate the Churches Silver Anniversary
These celebrations consisted of a lovely Anniversary cake, special services, dedication ceremony. There were many mediums that were delighted to come and serve the church during this time. Here in Aylesbury we know that Billy Elton will be delighted that what he started all those years ago is again continuing.
Some of the mediums that attended during the 25th Anniversary week were; Coral Polge (Psychic Artist), Don Galloway, Marion Dampier-Jeans, Stephen Holbrook, Mavis Pittilla, Heather Hatton and Eric Hatton former President of the Spiritualists’ National Union.
Over the many years Aylesbury Church has had some lovely mediums who have given their services from workshops, Special Events and to take Services; Mr Gordon Higginson, Ursula Roberts, Ivy Northage, Mr Robin Stevens, Mr Colin Bates, Muriel Tennant, Simone Key, Paul Jacobs, Marie Taylor, Bill Forester, Brenda Lawrence, Glynn Edwards, Dennis Jones. As previously mentioned some of these wonderful people are now shining in the other world, those still with us shine here, working tirelessly for the love of humanity and the love from the spirit world. Until a few years ago a Christmas lunch was organised for the Churches older members. Over the years there have been many Special Evenings and Events for Church members and friends. The committee have a get together usually consisting of a meal at a local restaurant. In the past the Church has helped raised £20,000 for the Action for Kids Charity, and continues to make donations to local charities every year.
The Good Friday Rally – Founder Billy Elton then President of Aylesbury NSC
The idea of a Good Friday Rally for all the Spiritualist Churches in the Local District to come together, was first discussed in January 1959, Billy Elton, being the Founder of this Rally, which celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2009. The Rally to be held on a Good Friday seemed a good day as no church was open on that day. Billy Elton was a Master Baker and he provided many hot cross buns on that day and these were seen as a must for many years after that!
The Good Friday Rally was organised by rotation of Spiritualist Churches within the District, which consisted of Stalls, Private Readings, Healing, Specials Events, workshops, philosophy, and demonstrations of mediumship, Psychic Art and finishing with a Special Service. The Good Friday Rally unfortunately came to an end a few years ago, as it was becoming too much for one Church alone to organize this huge event. We now have some great news that the Good Friday Rally is being revived and hopefully will continue for many more years to come. There is now a separate Good Friday Rally Committee and we send our best wishes to all involved.
Past and Present Presidents of Aylesbury National Spiritualist Church
Mr Billy Elton retired as President in 1988 he sadly passed to spirit in 2006.
Mr Ian Miller became President in 1988
Mrs Jenny Bidston became President in 2001 until retiring in 2016.
Mrs Precious Harris took over as President in 2016.
Aylesbury National Spiritualist Church to-date continues to hold a healing group each Wednesday evening, a Mediumship Service on a Thursday evening and a Divine Service on a Sunday evening. We encourage those who wish to develop their spiritual gifts, or wish to learn more about Spiritualism with weekly open circles and various workshops. We hold occasional Open Platforms for people to practice their mediumship, reading or philosophical speaking to develop their potential. Membership is steadily going up.
For our 50th anniversary, Aylesbury church members and friends were busy redecorating the church, selling some old furniture and fittings and replacing them with new chairs, curtains and giving the church a facelift.
We held some special events in the church during 2018 for our 50th anniversary celebrations. These included:
Saturday 2nd June
The President of the Spiritualists' National Union, Minister David Bruton started our 50th anniversary events with, at 3pm a Q&A session during the afternoon and at 7pm, a demonstration of mediumship.
The committee would like to express our thanks and graditude to both David and Su for attending and holding these sessions.
Thursday 7th June
Darren Turner was our medium for the demonstration of mediumship, following an afternoon of private readings.
Saturday 9th June
Lynn Probert CSNU, international spiritualist medium and Arthur Findlay College tutor, held a mediumship development workshop for all levels of experience, from beginners upwards. Following this, in the evening Lynn gave a demonstration of mediumship.
Saturday 25th August
An evening of mediumship with Charlie Kelly CSNU.
Charlie is an Evidential Medium working in the UK and all around the World demonstrating Mediumship and Teaching it.
He runs regular Workshops and Mentorships, plus has a YouTube Channel.
Saturday 13th October
Bruce Hawkins demonstrated spirit art at our church in the evening.
Thursday 13th December
An evening of mediumship with Tony Stockwell rounding off our 50th anniversary celebrations.
Star of TV’s Street Psychic, Psychic Detective and a regular on 6ixth Sense with Colin Fry, Tony is a spiritual author and teacher. This was a rare chance to see Tony demonstrate mediumship from our church platform in a much smaller group than is normally possible.
There are many jobs that need to be done, but slowly and surely we are seeing a difference with the ambience of our church. We were very pleased indeed to secure a grant kindly donated to us from the Spiritualists’ National Union, which we are putting to very good use within the Church. We are a small Church and there is always something that needs to be done outside and inside of the Church, but with the support of our dedicated committee and the help of our members all is going well, long may it last.
