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1897 |
Its early history as an organized religious body goes
back to November 15, 1897, at which date it was incorporated as the New York
State Association of Spiritualists.
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1914 |
The General Assembly of Spiritualists is
a sovereign, self-governing ecclesiastical body, incorporated by a special act
of the Legislature of the State of New York, under chapter 485, Laws of New
York 1914.
At the
convention in Rochester, New York, on June 20, 1914, delegates assembled, by
unanimous vote authorized changing the constitution, bylaws and name to the
General Assembly of Spiritualists, to conform with the Laws of New York, 1914,
Chapter 485, Section 1, Chapter 53 of the Laws of 1909, entitled An act in
relation to religious corporations, constituting Chapter 51 of the consolidated
laws , adding Article XIII, Spiritualist Churches section 262 to 273,
inclusive.
By this
Act, Spiritualism for the first time was recognized by law as a religion with
distinct powers conferred by the Legislature upon the General Assembly of
Spiritualists
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1915 |
The first Annual Convention of the
General Assembly of Spiritualists was held June 18, 19, and 20, 1915. The Board
of Directors consisted of:
- President: Hiram M. Savage, East Aurora, New York
- Secretary: Frank Walker, Hamburg, New York
- Seymour J. Richardson, Lily Dale, New York
- Richard R. Schleusner, New York, NY
- Harriet M. Rathbun, New York, NY
- Matilda U. Reynolds, Troy, NY
- John
Steckenreiter, New York, NY
- Charles J. Tucker, Rochester, NY
- Samuel
Newman, Buffalo, NY
The
original charter of the General Assembly of Spiritualists was signed by the
above named members of the Board of Directors, and recorded in Monroe County,
NY on October 19, 1915.
Hiram R. Savage was succeeded in the Presidency of the General
Assembly of Spiritualists by John F. Steckenreiter of New York, NY, followed by
William H. Burr of Rochester, NY.
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1927 |
On December 17, 1927, John Heiss of NY became
president until 1948.
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1931 |
At the convention in Buffalo, NY, June 19, 20, 21,
1931 the delegates assembled, in order to preserve the lofty principles
expressed by the pioneers of Spiritualism, the Spiritualist principle of
universal brotherhood, and to protect our movement against encroachments of
prejudice and sectarianism, voted to sever its affiliations with other
groups.
The Board of Directors was authorized to amend the certificate
of incorporation and revise the constitution and By-laws accordingly.
The Board of Directors consisted of :
- President: John Heiss, New York, NY
- Vice-President: Matthew Stephenson, Albany, NY
- Secretary: Fredrick W. Constatine, Buffalo, NY
- Treasurer: Everett F. Britz, New York
- Alexander J. McIvor-Tyndall, Lily Dale, NY
- Leila
Williams, Syracuse, NY
- Howard
Mason Pitman, Buffalo, NY
- Sarah
Cushing, Lily Dale, NY
- Emily
Doyle, Buffalo, NY
The
necessary legal papers were duly consummated, papers signed by the Directors of
the Board, and filed, establishing the General Assembly of Spiritualists as a
sovereign, self-governing ecclesiastical body, with executive powers vested in
the Board of Directors of the General Assembly of Spiritualists, with
jurisdiction extended to the several states of the United States and the
Dominion of Canada.
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