Introduction.
A report was published in the 'Harbinger of Light'. Dated 1/11/1876 it was from Mr. John C. Wilkes, the Secretary of the Spiritualist Investigator's Association based in Auckland. It read: 'Spiritualism was unknown in Auckland 12 months ago'. However it wasn't until 1897 that the first Spiritualist society [church] in Auckland was formed by Jane-Harris Roberts. Titled the 'Auckland Society for Spiritual Progress', the first service was held in the Choral Hall. Not long afterwards another society called 'Auckland Association of Spiritualists' came into being.

Then, in 1909, these two associations merged and became 'Auckland United Church of Spiritualists'. Those who opposed the amalgamation began another society called the 'Auckland Society of Spiritualists' but it was active only for a short time. [A 'Church of Spiritual Philosophy' was formed by one, Sister Estelles but this too, not lasting long, was wound up in April 1911.] Reading through old issues of the Australian publication, 'The Harbinger of Light', one finds that reports from all these groups were published from time to time. Obviously seen is that these were often controversially written. Equally obvious though is that they produced formative, productive and active years in the official organisation of Spiritualism in Auckland and indeed, elsewhere in New Zealand. Worthy of mention is that Jane Harris-Roberts served all of these organisations and many more besides throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand.

The Progressive Church of Spiritualists In 1911, our church also made its first appearance officially commencing in August of that year. The official Wellington date stamp can be clearly seen on the application for its incorporation signed by 16 members of that organisation. The application is actually dated 13th. July and it was received in Wellington on the 20th. in the same month. Documented evidence of successive name changes registered with the Department of Justice show that we carried the title of 'Progressive Church of Spiritualists, Auckland' until 29th. November 1963. It was then that the name was altered to 'The Spiritualist Church of New Zealand Auckland, Incorporated'. A further name change took place on 27th. May 1969 to 'The Spiritualist Church of N.Z. [Auckland] Incorporated' and the last name change 'The Spiritualist Alliance [Auckland] Incorporated was registered on the 21st. July 1982. Until 1926, 'The Progressive Church of Spiritualists' had held meetings in rented rooms situate in Upper Queen Street Auckland City. However, in that year Claude Rhodes erected the first purpose-built church [pictured] in Auckland, at No.7, Alma Street, Newmarket.

Amalgamation! In 1938, the church amalgamated with the Auckland branch of the Spiritualist Church of New Zealand. Congregations of this church first met for services in the Oddfellows Hall, in Pitt Street but later moved to rooms above a shop in Karangahape Road, and again to larger rooms on the same road. Owing to the expiry of the building lease, they were forced to move to Darby Street in the City but after a short while, because of the noisy locality, a further move was made back to Karangahape Road. At that time, the church was in rather a critical state as membership and attendances were low. Accordingly, the then President Mr. Williams, the secretary Mrs. Mason, and the organist, Mrs. Alice Richards conferred together as to whether they should carry on or wind up the organization. It was decided to keep the doors open. The President later had to move to Wellington for business reasons but the remaining church officers and members kept the church going.

A further lapse of time ensued and then a number of speakers came forward. Among these was Mrs. Mary Dreaver and both attendance and interest gradually began to look up. One Sunday evening towards the close of service, a letter was passed to then President, Mrs Richards. It was from the Secretary of the Progressive Church of Spiritualists in Alma Street, Newmarket. The letter suggested an amalgamation [the brainchild of Mr. James MacPherson] between the two churches with their operational venue at Alma Street. Whilst there was some opposition to the move, the obvious advantages of having 'a home of our own' outweighed all other considerations.

The first service under the aforementioned amalgamation took place on 30th October 1938. The principal speaker was the late Mr. Neil Michie [the well-known direct voice medium from Sydney] with Mrs. Mary Dreaver [Auckland City Councillor and Member of the Legislative Council] and NZ's pioneer Spiritualist, Mrs Jane Harris-Roberts, affectionately known as 'The Mater'. Mrs. Alice Richards, a much loved and highly respected leader, who held the position of church president for 5 years prior to the amalgamation, and in all for 28 years until her retirement in 1966. [For 25 years she was the General Secretary to the SCNZ too, retiring in 1971.]

World War II - The church still functioned throughout World War II maintaining both afternoon and evening services each Sunday, a Lyceum and several other meetings every week. As most of the menfolk were either on active service, the local Home Guard, or serving as training officers in military camps, the church was kept going mainly by the womenfolk. Shortly before the new building was built at 120, Carlton Gore Road in 1965, an extension was carried through, which included a bell tower and an upstairs healing room. Our church was also an active participant in Spiritualism's Centenary in 1948 of Modern Spiritualism and it was celebrated worldwide. A committee was given the task from hundreds of entries around the world, to choose a motto for Spiritualism. This was headed by Mrs. Alice Richards, and included the Hon. Mary Dreaver, James McPherson and Mr. Claude Rhodes The committee chose an anonymous one, contributed by somebody in Canada, which reads: 'DEMONSTRATED SURVIVAL-THIS IS SPIRITUALISM'. Mr. Claude Rhodes was also our representative at the celebrations, which took place in Rochester, New York State, USA - actually the birthplace of Modern Spiritualism.

Another new building Just about to embark on further extensions in 1964 on the church, an offer was received from a large construction company. This involved the exchange of the Alma Street property for a more prominent site, with an old house [*which had to be demolished] on it at 120, Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket. The offer included a fully completed concrete block church, with the roof, plus the concrete block shell [walls] and concrete floor for the adjoining hall. By then the builder of the first church, Mr. Rhodes, was 80 years old. Yet under his guidance and restricted participation, the church committee, members and friends completed the social hall, kitchen, storeroom and toilets. As mentioned above however, the house had to go before any building could start. The average age of the voluntary demolition team ranged in age from mid-50 to 80. As it was, everyone pitched in, even one of the regular [and well-remembered] mediums, Mrs. Mona Stillman, was seen heaving old bricks and things out of the way!

New beginnings The new church was dedicated on 26th June 1965. Guest speakers included the late Horace Hambling, a well-known British trance medium, who was visiting NZ at the time. His spirit guide, Moon Trail, gave, as he always did, an inspiring address. Mr. Norman Ainley, Chairman of the Spiritualists' National Union, UK, Education Committee also addressed the meeting. The first Sunday service was a Naming one. Mrs. Richards officiated here and named Mr. Ainley's grandson, Michael, youngest child of Doreen and Fred Haslam. At this meeting too Mrs. Ola Williams became the first medium to demonstrate communication there.

New leaders In 1966, Mr Harold Sell, a former Assistant Superintendent of HM Colonial Force in Fiji succeeded Mrs. Richards as church president. He was a dynamic speaker and a gifted healer. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the annual [still held each year] Anzac Day Service. Mr. Chic Lowson became president in 1972 and was succeeded in 1974 by Mrs Elizabeth Kennedy [later Pretty] who has held the position since.

Spiritualism moves into the suburbs

By the 1970's our new church was getting too small with congregations averaging more than 100 every Sunday - but the Spiritualist movement per se was on the move! Consequently, throughout the 70's there began the establishment of several new churches in suburban Auckland, which not only took the pressure off of our church but also provided many of the people who were connected with and or members of The Alliance. As such, these, independently, formed those new ones.

Charitable status 1982 was the year that 'we' regained our independence under [the still] existing title of The Spiritualist Alliance [Auckland] Incorporated. Then in 1994 it was registered as a Charitable Trust.

Overseas Mediums Motivated by the then 'guru of the airwaves', Gordon Dryden, formerly of Radio I and Radio Pacific, The Alliance embarked upon its overseas mediums venture. Accordingly, since 1975 'we' have sponsored many well-known and famous mediums to NZ. Among these are Hilda Martin, Doris Collins [pre-selling a 2,000 capacity Auckland Town Hall for the largest Spiritualist propaganda meeting in Auckland] and Ursula Roberts. Matthew Manning [Town Hall meeting of 1700]; George Daisley, Eileen Roberts, Irene Griffey, Paula Wood Al Cattanach, Carmen Rogers, Glyn Edwards, Simon James, James Byrne, Rosemary Altea, Rita Jones, Lionel Owen, Marjory Kite, Robert Brown, Stephen Hermann, and Ken Pretty.

Objects and Aims The principal function of the church is to promote the philosophy of Spiritualism based on the Seven Principles. Further, 'we' endeavour, through mediumship, i.e. the trained development of psychic faculties, to provide information and evidence of life after death, or as 'we' prefer Life After Life! An integral part of our service, in common with most Spiritualist churches, is Spiritualist Healing. Each week this is demonstrated and practiced in accordance with a code of ethics, which demonstrates our desire and willingness to work in harmony with and to being complimentary to the medical profession of doctors and also veterinarians.

Service Record The church has had the good fortune to be served by many hundreds of dedicated Spiritualists, both in the past and present, in public and behind the scenes, always on a voluntary basis. Their collective efforts have epitomized the words of that universally known and esteemed spirit guide, Silver Birch: 'To serve is noble.'