History Of Our Church

In 1975 when Bill & Carol Fiddes moved from Gateshead to the town of Birtley, being practising Spiritualists looked for a church in the Birtley area but unfortunately there was none and had to continue to travel to Gateshead to the nearest church.

On checking back through records it was found that there had been a Spiritualist Church in Birtley from 1897 to 1965 and then all seemed to end. Bill & Carol along with Carols Mother Mrs. Joan Hutchinson and her Aunt Mrs. Eileen Gibson decided to look around for property they could rent and once again put Spiritualism back on the map in Birtley.

It took another year before such a property was found and although it was somewhat dilapidated they had the opportunity to rent it for just £1.00 per week. The property was a three storey building and the only floor that could be used was the small room on the centre floor which was quickly decorated, chairs were donated by Eden Progressive Church in Gateshead, donations from Whickham Spiritualist Church and Mrs E Dunn CSNU a hard working medium donated the Hymn books, and the church opened on 2nd December 1978.

In 1980 the property came up for sale and the founders Bill & Carol along with Joan & Eileen purchased the property for some £7500.00 and the church became affiliated to the Spiritualist national Union in the same year. Since that time the church has gone from strength to strength, with the property being vastly improved and very quickly the top floor was made ready for use as the main church hall, with the centre floor housing the members tea room, kitchen, speakers room and toilets.

In 2003 the church celebrated it's Silver Jubilee (25 years) with a week of activities beginning with Minister Duncan Gascoyne conducting the first service with the week ending with a celebration party. Thereafter the church concentrated on converting the basement area into a multi-function room in Memory of Mrs. Carol Fiddes who was not only a Trustee but was church secretary for some 30 years.  Plans were drawn up and approved by Building Regulations. May 2015 saw the completion of the Carol Fiddes memorial Room and on the 8th August 2015 Mrs. Rose Thompson officiated at the dedication of the beautiful new room for Spiritual Healing and other alternative therapies, where we can also run weekend courses thereby putting the new room to full use.

This Healing Sanctuary has been in constant use ever since, and has disable access with a chairlift to access the rest of the Church.

We also have a Physical Room on the same floor which is in use on a weekly basis.

We, the members, are so proud of this beautiful room. The church has been decorated throughout and new curtains bought bringing the church up to modern day standards, new signage has been added to the building and some pointing work done. All three floors are continually used by members and their valued support is always appreciated. 

In December 2018 we celebrated 40 years of serving the public of which we are so proud.