History of ACSCOA

Rev. NORMAN GUNN (Founder)

At the outset I will state that those involved with the early years of ACSCOA and for that matter the Williamstown, Vic. Church were not renowned for record keeping. Much of my understanding and impressions are derived from off-hand conversations and comments from Rev. Norman Gunn and others who were from the 1980’s era, most of whom have now passed beyond the veil. There are some sketchy records at the Williamstown Church, but I do not recall seeing anything specifically ACSCOA related. I assumed any records were turned over to Don Anson-Smith when he succeeded Norman Gunn as the ACSCOA Nominating Authority. My involvement with the Church commenced roughly around 1997.

In the beginning was a woman Ivy Ayris living in and pursuing Spiritualism in the U.K. There she was told by spirit that she would be migrating across the seas and founding a Spiritualist Church on a small peninsula of land between two waters. She migrated to Australia and settled in Williamstown fulfilling the prophecy of Spirit. (Williamstown is on a peninsula of land between Port Philip Bay and Hobsons Bay/Yarra River.) From her home she started doing readings and other spiritual development work.

Norman Gunn’s brother had arranged to have a reading with Ivy and dragged Norman along for support. Apparently from this initial meeting Ivy could see the potential in Norman and established a relationship and mentored his development. At some point both were ordained. As a child Norman said he could see the human aura around people. I don’t know if he still had this ability in his later years, but he was reputed to be a fantastic spiritual healer and manipulator.
The Constitution of the Williamstown Church starts off: The Church of Spiritual Enlightenment founded on August 20th. 1972 by Rev. I. M. Ayris and N.J. Gunn……………………………………

Sometime after this, Norman commenced the process of lobbying with Canberra to have Spiritualism but more so the Williamstown Spiritualist Church (Church of Spiritual Enlightenment) recognized as a religion I guess to be sanctioned to perform legal marriages. I believe the negotiations went on for about two years before recognition was given. Part of the process was that approval and recognition could not be given to just one Church but there had to be an association of a minimum (I think) of eight Churches. In addition Associated Spiritualist Churches of Australia was not an acceptable name for this organization. As Christianity was the official religion of Australia the name had to include the word Christian or similar before recognition could be given. So after much negotiation with Canberra and gathering to the cause other spiritualist churches, ACSCOA and Spiritualism finally became a recognized religion. Rev. Norman Gunn became the first ACSCOA Nominating Authority.

Rev. Norman Gunn passed to the higher life on 15th. August 2003.

Extract From the Frazer Coast Chronicle.

20th Jul 2009.

The Christian Spiritualist Church of Australia happened after Reverend Norman John Gunn, disaffected by the management of United Spiritualism in Australia, spearheaded the move in the 1980’s for a group of spiritualist churches to be recognised as a separate religious denomination. On February 5, 1987, then-Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen pronounced the decree for the new church’s existence.

ACSCOA (Associated Christian Spiritual Churches of Australia) is a religious organization declared and recognised by the PROCLAMATION, made by, Sir Ninian Martin Stephen, Govenor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, on the 5th February, 1987. The following text was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the 24th February 1987.

The Proclamation:

I, Sir Ninian Martin Stephen, Govenor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby:

(a) revoke the proclamation in force under section 26 of the Marriage Act 1961 published in the Gazette on June 19 1984: and

(b) pursuant to that section, declare each of the religious bodies or religious organizations specified in the schedule to be a recognised denomination for the purpose of that Act

Thus:

The ACSCOA was placed on the list of recognised Religious bodies.

The proclamation list of Religious Bodies and organisations declared as recognised denominations under section S.26 of the Marriage Act 1961, was updated on the 22nd September,1999 by his Excellency William Dean, the then Governor General of Australia.

The Pledge:

I will at all times endeavour to be guided in my thoughts, words and deeds by the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.

Special Thanks to Rev. David Finlay (Church of Spiritual Enlightenment, Williamstown, VIC), appreciate your help in supplying the above for ACSCOA.