History of
Spiritualism in Michigan
Michigan Spiritualists originally formed a State Association in 1870. This precursor to the present Association lasted about ten years. In 1892, in anticipation of the formation of a National Organization, a new Michigan State Spiritualist Association was formed and incorporated in Mason, Michigan on August 26, 1893. Michigan participated in the organizing Convention of the National Spiritualist Association in Chicago, Illinois during September, 1893, and pledged itself as an auxiliary, receiving its original charter, which was signed by Harrison D. Barrett, President, and Robert D. Dimmick, Secretary. The first workers ordained under the new charter were Mrs. Julia Walton and Marian Carpenter (Vail).
The First President of the Michigan State Spiritualist Association of Churches (MSSAC) was L.V. Moulton of Grand Rapids, followed by such prominent Spiritualists as Abbie S. Sheets, John Hutchinson, D.P. Dewey, James Walker, Dr. Julia M. Walton, Sam T. Penna, Col. Emory S. West, U.S. Army Ret., Clyde E. Gamsey, O. Perry Allen, Louise Arbrogast, John Throop, Peter Evert, Arthur Beesley, Rev. Norma McDerment and the current President Marcia L. Hyatt, who is the great-granddaughter of O. Perry Allen.
During 1962-1963, the Association was reorganized after the Board of Trustees attempted to withdraw, without the consent of the body, from the NSAC. With the assistance of the NSAC, the newly elected officers prevailed in court and the Association's assets and records were to be restored by court order. While the property was returned to the rightful association, the records and funds were lost to the Michigan Spiritualist Association of Churches.
The current Board of Directors for the Michigan State Spiritualist Association of Churches are President Marcia Hyatt; Vice President Timothy Weichner; Secretary M. Elaine Weichner; Treasurer Marguerite Gutt; Trustees: Donald Weichner, Dianne Smith, Grace Butterfield, George Wrona and Jack Remington.
The MSSAC has four active Churches and two active camps. The Association holds their Annual Convention in May. The Michigan State Spiritualist Association of Churches has been privileged to have been served by such workers as Rev. E. W. Spraugue, Elizabeth Lewis, Emma Snow Hoyte, Emma Gibbs Carpenter, Marion Carpenter Vail, Lina Schaunbacher, Beatrice Harris White Nixt, Edward Greece, Mae Taylor, Rev. Ethel McLain, Rev. Elsie Beesley, Rev. Sarah Tingay, Rev. Goldie M. Dodd, and the Rev. Norma McDermit.
Among its current workers are Rev. Cosie Allen, NST, Rev Stanley Gutt, Rev. Marie Buker, Rev. Catherine Welch, Jack Remington, Bette Wilson, Betty Witt, Jannette Hatch, and Timothy Weichner.