PSSC Building history

PSYCHIC SCIENCE SPIRITUALIST CHURCH=

Serving the Indianapolis Comm= unity since 1923

Building History

Written by the Reverend Herbert Ray Worth
in November 2001 - Revised January 2004

The former Herman P. Lieber residence, located at 1415 Central Avenue= in Indianapolis, has been the home of the Psychic Science Spirituali= st Church congregation since its official dedication on March 15, 19= 42.

The buil= ding was acquired through the efforts of Dr. B.F. Clark and Dollie Clark who did extensive research to determine an ideal location and setting for the church. The passi= ng years have confirmed the accuracy and validity of their comprehen= sive groundwork, planning and vision for the future.

Construc= ted in 1909, the residence and the carriage house at the back of the lot= are fine examples of Tudor Revival Style which were designed by Mr. Vonnegut, the architect.

Mr. Lieb= er was one of the German free thinkers, and much of his philosophy and social values are incorporated in the building. Employing the old-world techniques which insured sturdiness and long-lasting durability, the foundation was laid with a wide footing that tape= rs to the ground level. This provides solidity and strength where it= is most needed. Massive hardwood rafters support the heavy tile roof which has survived more than ninety years.

Brandt S= teele, a versatile young architect and designer (1870-1965) and son of well-known Indiana<= /st1:State> artist T.C. Steele, was delegated to design and complete the buildings interior. This included the selection of all materials - selecting various fine quality woods, designing the beautiful sta= ined glass windows, fireplaces, beveled mirrors, light fixtures, book cases, and stairways.

The Psychic Science S= piritualist Church was founded by the Rev. Bessie Woodworth, October 28, 1923. In early January of the following year, Mrs. Woodworth was called to the pastorate of a church in Chicago. At that time Mrs. Dollie Clark, a sis= ter of Bessie Woodworth, and Dr. B.F. Clark assumed the leadership of the new Psychic Science Spiritualist Church. During the next nineteen years the congregation met at various locations including the home of Dr. and Mrs. Clark before the building at 1415= Central Avenue was acquired.<= /p>
Dedicati= on of the new church building was a gala occasion! The principal speaker was the Rev. Joseph P. Whitwell, president of the National Spiritualist Association. Church dignitaries from various parts of the country attended. The platform was the center of numerous colorful floral pieces. Special music was presented. The Rev. Jos= eph P. Whitwell commented in his lecture that the sanctuary was in the shape of a letter "V" for victory. This was a popular a= nd much-used slogan during World War II.

Dollie Clark served the church faithfully for a period of thirty years. A kindly, compassionate = lady with several phases of mediumship, sh= e was respected and revered by those who knew her. Her earthly ministry came to an abrupt end in the fall of 1953. Traveling to an out-of= -state Spiritual meeting on a foggy, rainy night, the automobile driven = by Dr. Clark collided with another vehicle. Dol= lie expired a short time later. Dr. Clark, although injured, recovere= d to live an additional four years.

It was d= uring this time that he and Mrs. Glenna Wood were married. Glenna would survive to serve the church for thirty years. The last ten years = of her life were spent in an Indianapolis nursing home. She passed to spirit in March 1993, three days prio= r to her ninetieth birthday.

=

<= o:p>

<= o:p>

Main Menu

Sunday Morning Services

Thurs= day Evening Services

Tuesday Evening All Message Service

Special Events

Board Meetings

Classe= s

Book= store

Mission Statement

What is Spiritualism?

Building History

Map to Chu= rch

Contac= ts

Links

Paranormal Research Group

PSSC Calendar

Psychic = Science Spiritualist Church is now in the Old Northside Historic Area. There has been a resurge= nce of refurbishing many of the homes in the area along with plantings of shru= bs and flowers reminiscent of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We s= till enjoy the peony garden on the southern portion of the church grounds wh= ich dates back to the initial landscaping - also a rose bush that blossoms = each spring, sending forth a delightful fragrance which binds the past with = the present in a treasure trove of precious memories.

Psychic = Science Spiritualist Church, located at 1415 Central Avenue, has served= the city and community continuously since 1942. Weekly services are schedul= ed Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings with readings on the second Satu= rday of each month. We extend an invitation for you to attend and worship wi= th us. May God bless you and guide you on your daily path.<= /p>

About our Website Background Image<= /p>
The background= image was taken from an Ink Drawing of the histori= c Psychic Science Spiritu= alist Church building rendered by local artist Wus Laku, which was commissioned by Mrs. Barbara Hackler in 1998 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the church.

________________________________________________________= ____________________

1415 N. Central = Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202= (317) 634-1430

Copyright 2006, Psychic Science Spiritualist Church, Inc. All Rights Reserved