Our church has a long and cherished history, built upon the dedication, service and spiritual commitment of the many people who have contributed to its journey over the years.

We are deeply indebted to the historical notes left by the late Harvey Fitton, who had a connection with the church spanning more than 60 years. Harvey served on the church committees, was Vice President and a Trustee for many years. A gifted speaker, he was also highly regarded for his Platform work and his abilities as a clairvoyant.

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Our Beginnings

Harvey joined the church on 7 February 1924. From his records, it appears that the church was originally established in 1913 as the Spiritual Scientist Church by Mr McLeod-Craig.

The church was initially located on Karangahape Road, where Mr McLeod-Craig, a herbalist, operated a shop within the arcade. He was known as a magnetic healer and was said to possess medical clairvoyance. He also gave lectures and talks on healing and spiritual matters, helping to establish the foundations of what would become a thriving Spiritualist community.

In 1924, a committee was formed. Among its members was Mr Potter, who established a Healing Circle on Saturday evenings. The circle proved to be extremely successful and became an important part of the church's early spiritual work.

Another significant figure was Mrs Harris Roberts, affectionately known as “Mater”. She would later take over the running of the church and become known as its Minister.

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MacKelvie Street Spiritualist Church

As the congregation grew, a special committee meeting was held to consider finding a larger and more suitable venue. Mr Fairburn successfully secured the property at 43 MacKelvie Street, Ponsonby, for £980. A loan was arranged at 6% interest, and it was understood, although never formally recorded, that Harvey Fitton contributed significantly towards the financing of the property.

The new premises were taken over on 29 September 1929, and the church's name was changed to the MacKelvie Street Spiritualist Church.

This marked the beginning of a particularly successful period for the church. Membership grew considerably, and Sunday evening services regularly saw the church filled to capacity, with as many as 120 people attending.

The church became a vibrant centre of spiritual and community life. There were Healing Circles, development circles, evening classes, plays, social gatherings and picnics, ensuring that there was something happening throughout the week. Jumble sales were also organised to assist with the church's finances.

One of the church's most distinctive features was its open circles, which provided opportunities for people to develop their spiritual gifts and explore mediumship. Many mediums went on to develop their abilities through these circles, carrying forward the tradition of Spiritualist practice established at MacKelvie Street.

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A New Chapter in New Lynn

In November 2003, the church moved to its present location on Portage Road, New Lynn.

By this time, the character of the area surrounding the MacKelvie Street property had changed considerably, with the neighbourhood transitioning from residential to commercial use. The property consequently became highly sought-after, and several offers were made for the site. Wisely, the committee chose not to accept them until the time was right for the church to move forward.

In recognition of our heritage and the important role MacKelvie Street played in our history, the church became known as the MacKelvie West Spiritualist Church.

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Continuing the Journey

A church is shaped by the people who give their time, energy and service to it. Throughout our history, countless dedicated individuals have contributed to the spiritual development and continued growth of our church.

We are deeply grateful to all those who have served, supported and sustained this community over the years. It is because of their commitment that our church continues to stand today.

Like any organisation, we have experienced our share of challenges and changes. Through it all, our members have continued to uphold the Seven Principles of Spiritualism and to support the growth and development of the Spiritualist movement within our community.

Today, our church remains a place of welcome, support and spiritual exploration. We hope it will continue for many years to come as a haven for those seeking comfort, spiritual guidance, understanding and enlightenment.

We are also privileged to preserve a number of treasured items from the original MacKelvie Street Church. These precious pieces of our history are proudly displayed in our present church, serving as a tangible connection between our past, our present and the generations of Spiritualists who will come after us.

 

Our history is built on those who came before us. Our future is shaped by those who continue the journey.