SNU Spotlight: ‘The promotion of closer bonds’ as Cardiff turns 100!

A warm welcome awaits all who enter Cardiff Spiritualist Church and Centre.

Friday 16^th October 2026 marked the Centenary of the Church building itself, but the roots of Spiritualism in Cardiff go back much earlier, to the 1870s. In recognition, the Church held a weekend of celebrations on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October, which included a tea for friends of the church on the Saturday where volunteers dressed up in 1920s style outfits, followed on Sunday by a service of rededication led by SNU President Minister Julia Almond and chaired by Officiant Tony Leeson.

Walking around the Bay area of Cardiff just a mile from the Church, it was easy to reflect how much had changed over the last century. The old docks where Welsh coal was transported around the world has been transformed into a leisure area of restaurants and walkways where the Welsh Parliament is based and swans serenely glide.

“Some things remain constant across the decades… the love and dedication of Spiritualists who had the courage to dream big… to build a church, which many have since called home.”

Some things remain constant across the decades, though – for example, the love and dedication of Spiritualists who had the courage to dream big and raise a small fortune to build a Church, which many have since called home.

The Church was opened in 1926 by former President of the SNU, Earnest Oaten, a Cardiff man himself, who declared the following timeless words which echoed down through the years as he dedicated the building:

“To the glory and worship of God, to the promotion of closer bonds between this and the spirit world, to the reunion of man with their loved ones who had gone before, to the service of humanity, the education and development of children, and to the spreading of spiritual truth and the comfort of the sad sick and weary”

To mark the special occasion, Church President Karen Allen had sewn a new banner for the Church, which now stands proudly at the rear of the platform. A Church volunteer baked an impressive cake for all to share following the service, which both looked and tasted delicious.

History old and new – photographs and memories from Cardiff’s 100 years were on display (left), as was the beautiful new banner sewn by the Church’s President (right).

Church members told their stories as part of the service. Similar inspiring stories can be heard in many Churches, telling of how Spirit had led people to their Church doors. The person walking by who one day feel compelled to walk in. The individual who found their home, and another who had found their sense of purpose or belonging. The person whose back operation had been eased by Spiritualist healing. The healer who felt inspired to stand and share their love of healing. The committee member whose family had all passed, but still cherished their Church family.

There were several past committee members in attendance over the weekend, including Minister Carol Ellis and Geoff, who had each contributed to the development of the Church. Carol through the church education programme and Geoff through the physical fabric of the building.

Cardiff’s organist David had started in the Lyceum sixty years earlier, and he shared a Lyceum reading about children who came to recognise what they shared in common, the spirit within, rather than their differences. Another member spoke of witnessing the physical mediumship of Alec Harris and touching the solid spirit forms which materialised.

Alec’s chair still sits in the corner of the healing room, and his grandson attended the service.

The dedication and commitment of many Spiritualists over the years has helped sustain the Church community. SNU President, Minister Julia Almond spoke too about the Union’s 125^th birthday that weekend.

For the Union as a whole, we celebrate the contribution of our Pioneers and our dedicated volunteers of the past, whilst also looking forward with hope and inspiration to how we can work together to provide caring healing centres like Cardiff, where all may explore and grow in their understanding of their spiritual reality.

There is a thread of continuity over the years, but also the recognition that we need to change and evolve with the times.

And the response to Minister Almond’s invitation to be involved in shaping our Union’s future through participation in the Union’s upcoming listening exercise?

A resounding ‘YES!’.

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