THE members of a Spiritualist church are celebrating its centenary.

The foundation stone for Blackburn Spiritualist Church, St. Peter Street, Blackburn, was laid on June 29 1901.

The group has had solid membership since its inception. Numbers have varied - after the first world war the attendance grew to 400 as people tried to come to terms with the loss of their relatives.

But now there are 54 members. They meet four times a week and try to communicate with the dead, and offer each other support.

A committee runs the church. The 'ministers' are lay-preacher mediums who demonstrate their abilities during visits. They can perform marriages and a baptism-style naming ceremony.

George Hudson, the church president, says he can communicate with the dead.

He says people should be more tolerant of the organisation, and points out that it is here to stay.

"I'm not here to say you must go to my church," he said. "There's still a lot of people who think we are witches and deal with the devil. People come to our church because they got relief from being there and can talk to anyone they want.

"I sense the spirit world around me and sense who is there. I can give readings to people in person.

"How many people walking along Blackpool promenade and see a fortune teller? They are using a gift to make a lot of money and are playing out their futures. We don't do that.

"We believe in Jesus, but that he was the greatest healer and medium ever. We're a love giving church and you can feel the atmosphere as soon as you walk in because anybody will talk to you.

"We are no different to anyone else."

The Blackburn branch celebrates its birthday with a service on Monday. The President of the Spiritualists' National Union will visit to give a talk.