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The Henfield Spiritual Centre grew from the Henfield Spiritual Church after it closed.  This was situated above Alan Woodwards the butchers in Henfield High Street, and closed in October 1997, after running very succcessfully for 34 years.
 
       
 
The Church had been run by the Barwick family. Bert Barwick was The Chairman and his sister Olive, played the organ.  There were other family members who assisted in the running of the Church. 
By 1997 Bert and Olive were the only members of the family still alive.  Bert had been a butcher and owned the premises, he was now in his 80's and unable to run the Church any longer.  He and Olive decided that regretfully they must retire.  Some of us who had been devotees of the old Church got together and decided to form a committee to ensure that the Church did not close, but was carried forward.
 
The first meetings were held at the home of Mr Owen Parker.  Owen had been a part of the original Church for very many years.  He very often used to 'chair' the meetings.  To keep the services going we required new premises, so we moved to the Woodmancote Parish Hall.  The first meeting of the newly formed Henfield Spiritual Centre took place on 14th December 1997.  Names of some of the original committee :
 
Owen Parker
John Mainwood - Treasurer
Lyn Bedford -      Secretary
Hazel Bedwell -   Lyn's mum
Phil Claridge -     Chairman
Lesley Claridge - Booking Secretary
Marjorie and Keider Casey - (known as KC)
 
Owen, John, Lyn and her mum Hazel, were all long standing members of the original Henfield Spiritual Church, which Phil and Lesley also attended from 1992.
 
Hazel Bedwell used to bake a cake every Christmas for our Christmas Service, which of course was also our Birthday.  She also provided the green and black velvet table coverings.
 
Bert Barwick was so pleased that we wanted to continue to run the Church, that he and his considerable family had built up over the past 34 years, that he started us off with a donation of £300.00.  He also donated hymn books.
 

Ann Parker, wife of Owen donated the pretty lace table cloth which sits on the altar table.

 

 

KC, a carpenter in his early life, donated the wooden cross, which he made himself and engraved with the date of the very first meeting of the Henfield Spiritual Centre.  He also made the round wooden collection plate which he lined with green felt.  He felt, pardon the pun,  that it was important that an open dish was used for goodwill offerings so that everyone could see what was put in.  He was also a very good Trance Medium.

 

 

 

 

 
Marjorie, gave us the prayer book which she covered in a bright blue velevt material and lovingly embroidered.  She was also a good Medium and Healer.
 
The Centre went onto be run very successfully by John, Phil and Lesley for many years with the help from some other members, who joined the committee.  For a couple of years Jan Dayton was a committtee member, she suggested the questionnaire, this led to many changes.  The start of regular workshops, was just one of the ideas.
 
Angie and Matt Walker were members for four years until they moved to South Devon in 2005.  They were responsible for the lovely bright blue backdrop, which is put up before all functions of the Henfield Spritual Centre.  Angie was our Secretary after Lyn retired.  She was responsible for typing all the songs into our modern Spiritual Song Book. 
        

 
John retired as our treasurer, handing over to Jane Finn at the end of March 2007.  John had a great deal of experience in all matters spiritual and still holds regular Philosphy groups, which is such an important part of any spiritualist movement and development.  John is also known for his excellent work and knowledge of Vibrational Healing.
 
Phil was the Chairman until he felt it was time to step down in December 2006.  He had worked tireslessly on behald of the Centre giving up a lot of his own time.  He was responsible for orgainising all events and the advertising.  He was inspired to start the World Peace Day event in 2003, which has become an annual event.  Phil also started the long association with White Eagle Lodge and the trip to their annual Carol Concer at Liss in Hampshire.
 
Lesley took over as Booking Secretary and later also Secretary.  Lesley intoduced Crystals to the centre for sale and also took many people through meditations during the services.

 

Hazel Cattaway took over from Lesley in December 2006 and now looks after all the Crystals, Chair's Services and takes Meditation sessions, and also gives many insperational readings, inspired by her guides.
 

Phil, Lesley and John used to visit many Churches and Centres in the area to see other Mediums at work and also to see how they ran their Services. They also started two circles on alternate Thursdays, One was for Healing and the other for Mediumship and Spiritual Development.  The Centre joined the Sussex Healers Association in 2005, and many of the students which have attended the Healing Development Group have gone onto become members of SHA.
Both these Development Circles / Groups have gone onto become very successful.
 
          
 
Phil Grant became Chairperson in December 2006 for an interim  period until August 1st 2007.  Phil's committment and positive spiritual directive enabled the centre to continue to move forward during the first few months after Phil, Lesley and John had stepped down.
 
Tanya Jennings became Booking Secretary and Secretary at the same time, being supported by Phil's wife Hazel.
During this period a new tutor for the mediumship Development Group had to be found, Tanya put the proposition to the wonderful and well connected Lyn Probert, and in September 2007 the centre had a Mediumship Developmet Group of 22.
 
Keith Jennings became Chairperson in August 2007 and also Advertisiing Manager, the aim is to move the Centre forward enabling more people to enter our Centre and to enjoy the energy and peace that Spirtualism can give you.
 
Sylvie and Jim Moore joined the committee to run the Catering and the Library. Sylvie has a great talent within the kitchen, as proven at our recent Psychic Suppers, which was enjoyed by many people. Jim looks after the Library, which we have books which you can have on loan or purchase, Jim and Sylvie also helps with the Centre Services and Events.
 
Hazel Cattaway and Lesley Skidmore run and manage the Healing Development Group since Phil and Lesley Clarridge left. As per the Mediumship Development Group, this is moving forward with many new faces, and students becoming members of SHA.
  
Deanna Miller
De has joined us as Secretary, freeing Tanya's time up to concentrate on Bookings. 
De has been with us at the centre for about three years, sitting in Development Circles and the Healing Group.
 
Henfield Spiritual Centre was the very first Church / Centre to hold meditation as part of the Sunday Service.
 
The Most Important thing is that all the committee meetings are carried out in friendship, always opening with a prayer to spirit for good direction forward, for the benefit of all and the happy continuation of Henfield Spiritual Centre, and nothing is caried forward unless there is total agreement between all members.  This is probably why Henfield Spiritual Centre has such a very good reputation for being very friendly and welcoming.