Nottingham Spiritualist Church
Our heritage

The History of Spiritualism

Modern Spiritualism is generally said to have begun on the evening of 31 March 1848 in a small cottage in Hydesville, New York. There, two sisters — Kate and Margaret Fox — established a code of communication with an unseen presence that responded to their questions with audible raps. The events drew enormous public attention and gave rise to a movement that, within a few years, had spread across the United States, Britain and much of the world.

Artist's impression of the Fox sisters' cottage in Hydesville, New York, 1848
The Hydesville cottage, 31 March 1848 — where Kate and Margaret Fox first communicated with an unseen presence.

The 19th-century awakening

By the 1850s public séances, trance speaking, healing and inspirational mediumship were widespread. The movement attracted scientists, social reformers and writers — Robert Owen, Sojourner Truth, Alfred Russel Wallace (co-discoverer of natural selection with Darwin), Sir William Crookes (discoverer of the element thallium) and later Sir Oliver Lodge all investigated and accepted survival of the personality beyond death.

In Britain, the Spiritualists' National Union was founded in 1901 to provide a federal body for Spiritualist churches and the Seven Principles, as inspired through the mediumship of Emma Hardinge Britten in 1871, became the movement's shared statement of belief.

Victorian parlour seance by candlelight
A Victorian-era home circle — the parlour séance became a hallmark of 19th-century Spiritualism.

After the Great War

The First World War left millions bereaved and Spiritualism grew rapidly as families sought evidence that their loved ones lived on. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, devoted the last years of his life to writing and lecturing on Spiritualism, publishing his two-volume History of Spiritualism in 1926. Sir Oliver Lodge's book Raymond brought similar comfort and credibility.

Inspired teachings such as those given through Maurice Barbanell by the guide known as Silver Birch, and the public healing work of Harry Edwards, shaped 20th-century British Spiritualism into the warm, ethical, evidence-based tradition we know today.

Poppy field at dawn with a distant country church
After the Great War — a generation in mourning turned to Spiritualism for evidence of survival.

Spiritualism today

Spiritualism is now practised worldwide. In the UK the Spiritualists' National Union supports several hundred churches, including Nottingham Spiritualist Church. We continue the work of demonstrating that love survives, offering healing freely, and welcoming all who wish to explore the spirit within and beyond themselves.

Cupped hands holding light beneath a rising dove
Healing, hope and continuing life — Spiritualism's enduring promise today.

Respected books on Spiritualism

  • The Lyceum Manual(1887)
    Emma Hardinge Britten, Alfred Kitson & H. A. Kersey

    The foundational handbook of the Spiritualist Lyceum movement, setting out its songs, recitations, lessons and order of service. The link opens the 10th edition (1914).

    Read online
  • The History of Spiritualism (Vols. I & II)(1926)
    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    The definitive early account by the Sherlock Holmes author, who became Spiritualism's most prominent advocate.

    Read online
  • Raymond, or Life and Death(1916)
    Sir Oliver Lodge

    Pioneering physicist's account of communication with his son after the First World War.

    Read online
  • Silver Birch Speaks
    Edited by Tony Ortzen / Hannen Swaffer Circle

    Decades of inspired teachings from the spirit guide known as Silver Birch — a cornerstone of British Spiritualist thought.

  • There is No Death(1891)
    Florence Marryat

    Vivid Victorian-era memoir of mediumship and survival evidence.

    Read online
  • Thirty Years Among the Dead(1924)
    Dr. Carl Wickland

    Early 20th-century psychiatrist documenting trance work and spirit communication.

  • The Psychic World of Harry Edwards
    Harry Edwards

    Britain's most celebrated spiritual healer on the principles and practice of healing.

Historical sources & further reading

External links are provided for study. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of every view expressed.