Author: Trevor Baxter

HERVEY Carter didn’t live to see the first service held at Saddleworth Spiritualist Church, a building he was the driving force behind and a major benefactor for.

But the Diggle born philanthropist and former Uppermill resident looked down as a re-dedication service took place at the High Street based church 93 years later.

A portrait of Carter, who funded a third of the £3,000 building costs, is one of a number hanging on the walls of the building erected on land at Brownhill Vale.

There’s one too of Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a fervent believer in spiritualism.

Locally, spiritualism can be traced back to the late 19th Century when Royton man Mr Calverly started the first mission at the Oddfellows Hall on Lee Street, Uppermill

Mr Carter, former owner of Victoria Mill – now the site of a car park adjacent to Saddleworth Museum – was soon involved.

By April 1906, the Church had acquired a new base at the former Liberal Club on Court Street.

Two years later, a meeting of the British Magnetic Healers’ Association was held in the building.

In December 1923, plans were first formulated for the spiritualists to have their own headquarters. In September 1928, Mr Carter help lay the foundation stone.

He died in March 1929 and is buried in the lower yard at St Chad’s Church.

But his legacy lived on and on May 4, 1929, the new church was opened and dedicated, serving spiritualists and their beliefs for nearly 100 years.