And the spiritualists said... let there be light (From Warrington Guardian)

And the spiritualists said... let there be light

A CONGREGATION at a spiritualist church in Widnes have finally seen the light thanks to brand new windows!

Sunlight now floods in through the tall windows and high skylights onto freshly painted walls - a transformation unthinkable after being targeted by vandals 30 years ago.

"You would have thought we'd all won a million pounds by our smiles," said Linda Marshall, the Lacey Street church's delighted president. "It was such a relief to get there in the end after everyone's hard work.

"I really can't thank people enough for helping out. We've had donations from all over the place and members dangling from scaffolding like monkeys fixing lights and things!"

The makeover, including central heating, a new kitchen, disabled access and carpets, comes almost two decades after the Spiritualists' National Union threatened to close the church because of the serious vandalism it had suffered.

Fortunately, a visiting official was made to see the light and a steady stream of money, including money from the SNU and Halton Council, has seen it gradually returned to its former glory.

Almost £5,000 has been raised by church members who have taken their powers of spirituality into local pubs in highly successful 'mixing your spirits' sessions.

"People are sceptical, usually out of fear," Linda said. "But they are also curious and often missing someone who has died.

"By holding clairvoyance evenings in pubs and community centres, we've not just raised money for our building fund, but we've taken the church to them.

"Sometimes people don't realise that this is a 'normal' religion which holds services and says prayers, but if they come and look around they'll get to meet us and see what it's like."

The church is collecting for a memorial fund for eight-year-old Dylan Lines, who died in Simms Cross a fortnight ago, and has so far raised £117 for Dylan's mum, Jackie, a church member.

To find out more about events involving Widnes SNU church, call Linda on 07901-718722.