20a Bath Street, EDINBURGH, UK EH15 1HD  |  tel. 0131 669 4780  |  [email protected]  |  Find us!

Your First Visit

If you're new to Spiritualism or have not been to a Spiritualist Church before, we understand that the prospect of visiting for the first time can be quite daunting. This section aims to provide reassurance by explaining what you can expect when you first visit us.

Portobello Spiritualist Church is a friendly, open Church which extends a warm welcome to all visitors, old and new, irrespective of faith/ lack of faith or philosophical perspective. We recognise that people attend our services for a variety of reasons, including bereavement and curiosity. Whatever brings you to our Church, you will be greeted with warmth, courtesy and respect. 

Many Church members can recall memories of how they first 'discovered' the Church, their feelings of apprehension before attending for the first time, and experiences from their first visit. Many also outline how their first visit challenged their preconceptions of Spiritualism and opened new ways of thinking.

A Christian perspective.

There is increased interest in 'psychic phenomena'
and Spiritualism in today's media. Much coverage treats the subject as entertainment. Our Church operates within a Christian understanding of Spiritualism, providing evidence of life beyond physical death through the gifts of Spirit communication: mediumship, healing and philosophy. Portobello Spiritualist Church adheres to Seven Principles which guide and inform all that we do. Church mediums who channel spirit communication do so not to offer a 'fortune telling' service, but to provide opportunities for loved ones in Spirit to come forward with words of love, hope and inspiration.

What can you expect when you first visit?

You will be greeted by a member of the Church who will welcome you, provide you with a hymn book and offer you a seat. All our services open in Christian prayer, and we like to sing hymns during service to provide upliftment.

Services providing demonstration of mediumship involve medium(s) giving messages to individuals from the Church platform. Mediums in our Church 'link' with Spirit through thought and communicate using natural dialogue. Such mediumship does not involve the appearance of 'ghosts' or any physical manifestation of Spiritual activity. Given the public nature of how messages from Spirit are communicated in this context, great care is taken by the mediums who work in our Church not to present information which would embarrass or offend. Due to time constraints, Church mediums are often unable to provide messages to everyone in attendance during any given service. However, the Church does provide (limited) opportunities for individuals to arrange private sittings with Church mediums: click here for further information.

What do we expect from you?

We ask that you attend services punctually, and show courtesy and respect to those in attendance at all times. Please remember you are in a House of God and behave accordingly.

We ask that mobile phones are switched off during service.

Please do not bring in or consume food or drink during service.
We provide tea/ coffee and light refreshments in the Church kitchen after services involving mediumship. 

Should a medium wish to speak to you during a demonstration of mediumship, we ask that you greet them in a loud voice and provide yes/no answers to the evidence they present to you from Spirit. You are not required to provide any further information.

As a Church we do not charge an 'admission fee' as such, however, we do take a collection after each service and are very grateful for your contribution.  We take collections in order to fund the maintenance and upkeep of the Church and to cover expenses such as visiting mediums' fees. (Everyone involved in running the Church does so on a voluntary basis: no-one derives personal income from Church funds.)

Above all else, we ask that you relax and enjoy your visit!
We look forward to seeing you.

Directions

By bus

Lothian buses provide a number of local services to Portobello.
Alight at Portobello Town Hall.
From there walk down Bath Street.
Pass the Bingo Hall on the left and keep walking for a few yards.
Note our blue sign above the gate.

By Car

See our map.
Drive to Portobello High Street.
Turn left into Figgate Street which is on the left just before Portobello Police Station.

Drive down Figgate Street and follow the street until you see Tower Bank Primary School.  Follow the road around - it's a one way system - and park.  Park well before the church and walk along the street to the Church. 

We have a back door and a small car park for disabled drivers with disabled permit only.

DO NOT USE THE CAR PARK SPACES JUST BEFORE THE CHURCH AS THESE ARE PRIVATE RESIDENTS PARKING. Thanks!

If there are spaces it is possible to park in front of Portobello Town Hall in the evenings and follow the walking directions. If this is your first visit this is probably a safer option until you get used to the streets behind the Church.