One of the oldest and largest Spiritualist associations. It grew out of the Marylebone Spiritualist Association founded in 1872. The story of the association's early struggles "to propagate spiritual truths in the Marylebone area of London" has been told in an SAGB publication One Hundred Years of Spiritualism, which also states that Queen Victoria held several séances after the death of the Prince Consort.
Even the term "Spiritualist" led to many difficulties in the early days of the association, which had to change its name to The Spiritual Evidence Society in order to hire halls. Widespread opposition to Spiritualism was also encouraged by the Witchcraft Act of 1735, which was frequently invoked for police prosecution of mediums.
Four years after the repeal of the Witchcraft Act in 1951, the SAGB moved to its present headquarters where it now provides lectures, demonstrations of clairvoyance, healing clinics, Sunday services, a library, a bookstall, and other facilities for the study and practice of Spiritualism. It also links together "a commonwealth" of Spiritualist churches throughout Britain. Among the prominent mediums associated with the group were Ursula Roberts and healer Gordon Turner.
Membership of the association is open to interested members of the public, who are put in touch with their local Spiritualist church. Members may also attend psychic development classes or book sittings with approved mediums. The association publishes a magazine, The Spiritualist and Spiritual Gazette. Address: 33 Belgrave Sq., London, SW1X 8QL England.
Sources:
Edmunds, Simeon. Spiritualism: A Critical Survey. London: Aquarian Press, 1966.
