The Times – Friday, May 25, 1934

A Spiritualist Stone-Laying
Progress of the Movement at Wombwell
An Ambition Achieved

A tribute to the pioneers of Spiritualism in Wombwell was paid by Coun. T. Brewer, of Wakefield, President of the Yorkshire District Council, presiding at a stone-laying ceremony in Kelvin Grove, Wombwell, on Saturday.

“The realisation of this ambition belongs not only to us but to those who have gone before,” he said. “I offer my congratulations to the forerunners for the excellent work they have done.”

There was a large gathering, despite heavy rain which fell shortly after the ceremony commenced. The foundation stone was laid by Mr. E. W. Oaten, of Manchester, President of the International Spiritualist Federation, and other stones were laid by representatives of the movement from Sheffield, Mexboro’, and West Melton.

Coun. Brewer said that in acquiring the church, Wombwell Spiritualists had achieved a noteworthy ambition. Every man and woman desirous of progress should assist in the furtherance of the movement. Although Spiritualists differed from their “Christian friends,” he said, there were many topics on which helpful discussions could be initiated. They did not claim any mythical heaven, but he was sure it would be advantageous to both religions if “Christian friends” would give Spiritualism serious consideration.

Laying the foundation stone, Mr. Oaten said the building of that church was not the goal of Wombwell Spiritualists, but a fair start in the realisation of their ambitions. He mentioned that the company included members of the church whom he met on his first visit 26 years ago, when meetings were held in a little room in Station Road. He, too, would like to congratulate these pioneers. He hoped the Wombwell fraternity would make the church a little centre of harmony for their work.

Two pink rose buttonholes were presented to Coun. Brewer and Mr. Oaten by Bessie Clough and Gladys Lillian Binney, Lyceumists.

Following the major ceremony stones were laid by Mr. C. Haywood, president of the Wombwell church, “in honour of arisen workers”; on behalf of the Yorkshire District Council by Coun. Brewer; for the Sheffield District Committee, by Mrs. Weller (President); for the Sheffield District Lyceum Committee, by Mr. F. Cooke, of Parkgate; for the Exponents’ Fellowship by Mr. F. Smith; for the North Pavement Society, Barnsley, by Mrs. Hunt; for the West Melton church, by Mrs. Farrar; for the Sheffield Central National Spiritualist Society, by Mrs. Hancock; for the Mexboro’ church, by Mrs. Hancock; in honour of the work of Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Haywood, by Mrs. Weller, of Barnsley; in honour of the work of Mr. R. Spittlehouse and Mrs. Merryweather, by Mrs. Swindon, of Sheffield; also by Mr. T. Hossel, of Rotherham, and Mrs. Staley, of West Melton.

A tea in the old church in Melville Street followed, and a public meeting in the evening was addressed by Mr. Oaten. Anniversary services at the old church on Sunday were conducted by Mrs. Oxley, of Mexboro’. The arrangements for Saturday’s ceremony were made painstakingly by the secretary, Mr. J. Markham, and a smooth programme resulted.

The church is being built by Messrs. Wm. Johnson and Sons, of Wombwell, and it is hoped it will be ready for use in three months’ time. It will be a brick and stone structure and will accommodate about 200 people. There will be a large assembly hall and two vestries. The architect is Mr. H. Everatt. The cost of construction is estimated at £1,000.