The Spiritualist Association of Great Britain (SAGB) is considered one of the oldest and largest Spiritualist organisations in the world. Its key focus has always been the belief that individuals require holistic healing — of “soul, body, and spirit”. In this way, the association has successfully created an environment where those in need can find faith, relief, and new meaning. Read more at ilondon.
History of the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain
The Marylebone Spiritualist Association was founded in 1872. One of its members’ core beliefs was the conviction that death is merely a transition, and that a person’s spiritual essence retains its individuality even after separation from loved ones. The association’s main goal was to provide spiritual healing to those suffering not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. It strove to create a warm and welcoming environment where everyone could find comfort, support, and hope.
The early decades of the Marylebone Spiritualist Association’s operations were fraught with difficulty. Finding premises for meetings and seances was extremely challenging due to public prejudice and the risk of prosecution under the Witchcraft Act 1735. Meetings had to be held in temporary locations, ranging from carpenters’ workshops to former courthouses. To evade pressure, the association occasionally changed its name unofficially.
It was not until 1930 that the Marylebone Spiritualist Association found a permanent home at 42 Russell Square in Holborn. This marked an important step towards stability and recognition. By that time, prominent figures in the history of Spiritualism, such as Kathleen Barkel, Nan Mackenzie, and Bertha Harris, were already involved with the association. They continued their work even during the Second World War. The building’s cellars were adapted into an official air-raid shelter, enabling meetings and seances to be held even during air raids.
A major transformation occurred in 1955 when the Marylebone Spiritualist Association acquired a long-term lease on a prestigious property at 33 Belgrave Square. The 92-year lease cost the organisation just £24,500. The new headquarters was officially opened by the noted spiritualist, Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding. He subsequently took part in fundraising events to furnish the new building.
In 1962, the Marylebone Spiritualist Association celebrated its 90th anniversary by building six specialised rooms for sittings on the first floor. During this period, it changed its name to the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain, reflecting its expanded scale and national status. Despite a trend towards private sittings, the association continued to offer public demonstrations with the most renowned mediums of the time. Among them were Nora Blackwood, Robin Stevens, Lilian Bailey, Harold Sharpe, and Ursula Roberts.
In 2010, the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain’s building on Belgrave Square was sold for £6 million, prompting a move to 11 Belgrave Road — the Victoria Charity Centre. However, in 2013, the Charity Commission criticised the organisation’s trustees, accusing them of failing in their duties to the charity. This led to another move for the association, to 341 Queenstown Road.
Legacy and Significance
The Spiritualist Association of Great Britain has become one of the most influential and enduring spiritual organisations in the country. A distinctive feature of its approach to healing remains the combination of spiritual practices with psychological support. Historically, this approach was embodied through collaboration with such famous mediums as Alfred Vout Peters, Fred Jones, and Horace Leaf. Today, the association’s headquarters welcomes around 200,000 visitors annually. The building’s comprehensive facilities include an auditorium, meditation rooms, prayer rooms, a library, and a chapel.
