Bitterne SNU Spiritualist Church

Mrs Hart, a former president of The Avenue Spiritualist Church and Minister of the Spiritualist National Union, suggested to Mr and Mrs Fowler, residents of Bitterne, to arrange meetings for a few people attending The Avenue Church who lived in Bitterne, Woolston, and the surrounding areas. 

A small group began meeting in the front room of Mr and Mrs Fowler's house, holding circles and various functions until they heard about a hall on Dean Road available for hire from the St. John Ambulance Organisation. 

The opening service was held on 18th May 1947, with Sunday morning and evening services, followed by an “after circle” meeting of clairvoyance after the evening service. The hall rental cost was 10/- or 7/6 for just an evening service. 

A healing circle, open circle, and various other meetings continued at the Fowlers' house on Mousehole Lane, Bitterne. These dedicated individuals raised funds for the church, which was affiliated with the SNU on 9thNovember 1947. 

A site for sale at the top of Lances Hill (the church's current location) was identified. It was set out as tennis courts with a wooden pavilion, previously used by “Frazers of St. Mary’s Street” (no longer in existence). A deposit of £30 was paid on 16th April 1951, for the land purchase from Miss Dilly Jones, with the total cost being £316.17.6d. 

Treasurer’s accounts from 1950 show purchases of rubble for 10/-, as well as glass, wood, ballast and posts. The base was laid and walls were built up to three feet high. A Nissen hut, bought in 1951 for £385, was assembled by volunteers, mostly original group members. 

On 22nd May 1952, Bitterne & District Spiritualist Church was officially opened by Mrs Hart, MSNU and Mr L Burnett. The collection at this service amounted to £7.11.5d. Services were held on Sunday mornings and evenings; and Wednesday evenings. A Healing Service was led by Mr Burnett, and Open Circles, discussion groups and Whist drives were held weekly. The Ladies Guild met every Wednesday afternoon, sewing items to be sold at upcoming bazaars. 

Annual garden fetes were held on the church grounds, with entertainment from the Woolston OAP Concert Party under Mrs Nellie Mitchell. Notable individuals like Lord Maybray King, Alderman Dicks, Peter Clark of Southern Television, and Reverend Butler from the Liberal Catholic Church officially opened some fetes. 

A memory garden at the property’s end initially featured two silver birch trees, later removed for safety reasons. A crazy brick path meandered through the grass to a wishing well. 

A Lyceum formed in May 1953 disbanded in 1955 due to lack of support. Another Lyceum formed in March 1959 had an attendance of 24 but also closed in 1961 due to falling numbers. 

The ledge created by joining the Nissen hut to the side wall was a convenient place for a trail of pennies, which raised funds until the old church was demolished. The Council issued a renewable five-year license for the church until 1971 when the committee was informed it had to be demolished. 

Foreseeing this, committee members submitted plans to the local council. President Mr Albert Faulkner, Secretary Barbara Fyffe, and Vice President Mary Clifford met with Mr Cheer of the Town & Country Planning Department at the Civic Centre to discuss church siting and activities, addressing concerns about traffic via Lances Hill and parking facilities.

The council approved plans for a “Compton” sectional concrete building on the former pavilion site. Ordered from Compton’s in July 1969, local builder Mr Ron Britton began work on the base. The prefabricated building cost £1720.1.6d, with an additional £1751 paid for its erection and services. Interior decoration was done by a few dedicated members on a voluntary basis. 

Mrs Nan McKenzie of London officially opened the building, named “Hilltop Hall,” on 26th September 1970. Neighbours were invited to the opening, though only one family attended. The hall was allowed for wedding receptions with Mr Tom Brandon appointed as caretaker and managing bookings. Woolston Camera Club held weekly meetings there.

The old church was demolished in 1972, and the first service in the new building was held in July 1972. It was re-registered for marriages on 27thJuly 1973. Gordon Higginson MSNU, President of the Spiritualist National Union, dedicated the building to the service of God and the Spirit World in January 1974, after which it was no longer used by outside organizations. 

Minister Gordon Higginson also conducted the ordination service for Mary Clifford, the youngest minister to be ordained in the SNU that year. In 1977, after several years as president, Mrs E Shaw received the SNU Certificate for Long Service award. The 1980s saw advances in spiritual awareness through courses conducted by Minister Mary Clifford SNU.  

The current church is the third church on the site and was completed in 2012.