The First SPIRITUALIST Church of Calgary and LYCEUM

(Originally MORAVIN CHURCH, built in 1902) 402 7th Avenue S.E. (demolished in the 1970’s)

Spiritualism was launched in Calgary during the First World War (1915-1918), by mediums mainly from abroad, known to have special powers and sensitivity. One, Mrs. Ada Garrard, ran an ad in a local paper inviting anyone interested in psychic work to meet her. From this ad many groups and developing groups were started.

Some of their meetings were held in private residences, but eventually various locations were rented, such as the Hood and Irvine block (113A – 8th Avenue W), Robinson and Linton Hall (235A – 8th Avenue E). At the time a professional medium, Mrs. Z. Duval, from the States, was in Calgary. She was responsible for training many of the future mediums that continued the work from then on at the local level.

The Sunday school was called the Lyceum. (Lye-SEEum) (This was the name given to the schools in the Spirit world where the children are instructed and it was thought fitting to call the schools here by the same name). The Lyceum classes were held from two to four o’clock on Sunday afternoons. The First Spiritualist Church of Calgary owes it founding and growth in part to the Lyceum that was started about 1915. Eventually this group joined with another assemblage called the Western Star and formed one church.

In 1920 a decision was made to buy a small German Moravian church near City Hall, on the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 3rd Street SE in order to have a permanent home rather than having to pay rent, and it was used for Lyceum classes, church services and other church functions.

Image No: NA-2191-2 Moravian Church

The lot was described as a regularly– shaped corner parcel with a frontage of 50ft and a depth of 130ft with a lane at the rear. A wood frame structure built in 1902; it had always been used as a church. (The removal of the belfry and an application of a stucco finish obscured the church’s original appearance).

Image No: PA-2807-4219 First Spiritualist Church and Lyceum (7th Avenue and 3rd Street SE) (ca. 1960)

The province granted this church a charter on November 18, 1920. Mr. Gerald H. Garrard was the first president and Mrs. Ada Garrard the lecturer and clairvoyant medium. Through the dedicated efforts of many people holding circles (séances), teas and socials, the church was paid for in a very short time and they had the pleasure of burning the mortage in 1929. The parent body, The Spiritualists’ National Union of Canada (SNU) presented a Certificate of Affiliation to the church on the 4th day of October 1929, recognizing the church as one under its jurisdiction.

The church was in no way associated with Witch Craft, Occult World, Fortune Telling, nor Commercial Mediumship. Therefore, it was essential for the Spiritualists to retain a high standard and to continue with their main teachings, and a great deal of credit for this goes to Rev. Sarah Anne Eshelby, one of the pioneers and mainstays of the group that started the church.

Rev. Anne Eshelby 1887-1972

Spiritualism is the belief that spirits of the dead can communicate with living persons, especially through a medium. The high death rate during both world wars sent many people over to the spirit world unprepared. Anxious to let their families know they are still very much alive, the necessity for mediums for these people to contact those on this side was great.

The church members enjoyed regular social gatherings and fundraising activities apart from services and holding circles (séances), and closed for two to three months for the summer season and again at Christmas. Also, the church advertised weekly in the Calgary Herald and Albertan.

Ad in the Albertan, Saturday, September 06, 2026

On June 22nd, 1952, the then president drafted a letter to the City asking protection from the Police Department re: people standing on the church roof during the Stampede Parade. In 1958 it was decided not to erect seats (bleachers) on the church property during Stampede week.

After years of good work and being well attended, the Lyceum was officially closed on February 5th, 1961. Some students from the Lyceum became lecturing mediums.

As early as 1965 the board was aware that the church would have to move, re: Urban Renewal Scheme No. 1, which had been approved by City Council to take place at the end of 1966. However, it was not until May 1972 that the city required the property by October 1st to construct a combined Calgary Police garage and parkade structure, which is still in use.

The church members searched for a site that was easy for people all over the city to get to. A new building – a duplex at 1601 – 1603 6th Avenue N.W., in the Hillhurst district was purchased, (their current location) and renovated for a church. The outcome: a restful, artistic premise to carry on with the work of Spiritualism.

Researched and compiled by M.P. (Pat) Hooper. Word processing by Susan Hooper