Our History
The stained glass window donated by Nurse Roberts whose daughter, Mrs P Slipper designed in memory of her mother’s guide ‘Sunrise’.
In 1932 Norton Christian Spiritualist Church was officially opened by its founders, Mr. and Mrs Ford, together with a few more people from Norton. The closing paragraph from the opening speech stated
“We opened with any amount of enthusiasm and 4s.2d in the bank. The church started in an old shed which we converted ourselves, and with no facilities of any sort, apart from a room in which we met. We realised it was useless to waste any more money on premises which were not our own and which could only be regarded as a stop gap”
Mr & Mrs Ford
The Church held it’s first services in Mr & Mrs Ford’s home and then in rented premises and as the years rolled on we [the mediums] carefully husbanded our halfpennies and pennies – for these were the times of great trade depression in our area – and we anxiously watched the only two sensible sites in Norton in fear they would soon be built upon before we had the money to any the land, far less have the money to build a church on one. Each of these sites seemed to have advantages not possessed by the other, but on balance one seemed to be more desirable to us.
Time now moves forward! The war ha come and gone and this had brough many changes in the building industry. Town planning, zoning, licences and other restrictions were in force. But worst of all, the money chich we had slowly got together, had become worthless than a third of its pre-war value.
HOW OUR AMBITION WAS FIRED
In 1950 a bus load of us went to a rally, which was being held in the very fine church and hall at Seaham, conducted by Nurse Roberts [G.W. Dipl.] When we saw what Mr Froud and his colleague’s had brought into being at Seaham, it seemed to fire our ambition and make us more determined that what could be done at Seaham could also be done at Norton. By this time our building fund had reached about £500, not a large sum these days, but at least it was time we thought about a site.
Nurse Roberts came back with us to take a service during her stay held a little home circle at which her guide “Sunrise” came through. He asked if we had any questions concerning work. When asked for guidance regarding the two site in mind, this was the answer:
“The one you so much favour is not for you. Let me put it this way — not only is it ‘The Campbells are Coming’ but they are already here. The other is the place to build your church”
Sunrise
How apt was this answer, for not only was this site near the drill hall, but within a matter of weeks a board was put up saying:- ‘W.O. Property. Keep out’ Now there are war office houses on it.
Enquiring about the other site, we thought the price was too high. On writing for ‘Sunrises advice, this answer was given
“Buy it at the price asked. Two other people are after it. It is the site for your Church and permission to build will be granted to you”
Sunrise
WHAT GREAT FAITH MADE IT POSSIBLE
On instructing our solicitor to buy, he said “I can quite easily prolong the deal for a few weeks until you are sure you will be allowed to build”. My answer was “Buy it now! We want it, for i am going from here to have plans drawn up for our new Church”.
I went from his office to the Borough Engineer’s and was told that the land was indeed zoned as an open space, but I could try. From there I went to the Architect’s where he said he would make enquiries before getting out plans. A letter came from him within a few days saying it was useless to waste money on plans for we would not be allowed to build. My reply to that was — “Go ahead! Draw up and submit the plans”
At the next meeting of the Corporation Plans Committee the plans were passed and permission to develop the site as a Church were granted. We had got the best site for our purpose in Norton, one third of an acre in extent, all fenced in, with a frontage of 126 feet, a good road with all services available, for less than the price of a fence round it. Land which eventually would be bordered (or so we thought) on three sides by a park, all for one hundred and twenty five pounds less than it cost the previous owner pre-war.
Then came the two years wait for the builder’s licence. In passing, I might add that our architect, chosen at random, was, in his younger days in London, a member of Marylebourne Spiritualist Association.
On evening, while trimming the hedge, a man stopped to speak and asked to whom the land belonged. He asked how I managed to find out the previous owner, for neither he nor his solicitor had been able to do so. About a week later another man said a similar thing, for they had both wanted to buy the site. To both I gave the same answer “It was never meant for you”. So much for spirit prophesy, which has come true in every respect.
Our Aim
Our aim at Norton Christian Spiritualist Church is to make you feel welcome when you walk through our front door. We want to make you feel at home and leave all of your worries outside the front door when entering our church. This is a safe space for people to attend and will not be judged by anyone.
In doing our work we will try to bring your loved ones close to you. To prove that only the physical body dies and our spirit lives on and of healing by the power of the Holy Spirit. Healing is available after every service, and all of our services offer a warm and loving welcome.
Our Principles
Each church has its own beliefs and principles at Norton Christian Spiritualist Church we follow the following beliefs that are listed below, what we do ask is that you respect each person and respect the church as we are a place of worship and we should respect each one another.
(1) Belief in one god who is love.
(2) Acceptance of the leadership of Jesus the Christ.
(3) Belief that god manifests through the illimitable power of Holy Spirit.
(4) Belief in the survival of the soul and its individuality after physical death.
(5) Belief in communion with god, with his angelic ministers, and with souls functioning in conditions other than the earth life.
(6) Belief that all forms of life created by god intermingle, are interdependent and evolve until perfection is attained.
(7) Belief in the perfect justice of the divine laws governing all life.
(8) Belief that sins committed can only be rectified by the sinner himself or herself, through the redemptive power of Jesus the Christ by repentance and service to others.’