The Church of the Comforter has been in and around the Santa Barbara area since its inception in 1891. The church received its first charter in Summerland, California, on January 9, 1891 where it was the focal point of a small community developed as a Summer Camp for the newly founded Spiritualist Organization. The town was divided into small 25 x 50 foot lots for the erection of tents for visitors. Those who came to build houses usually bought four of the lots that cost $25.00 each.

Summerland was laughingly referred to as “Spookville” and people usually took the back roads to avoid the odor caused by the oil wells. Regardless of how they joked about the town and its occupants the money just kept flowing in. Even with tents as the facility for a meetinghouse there were 200-300 people attending meetings.

As Spiritualism grew and developed, so did Summerland, with oil and natural gas as resources. Time moved on and many Spiritualists left the area, but the Summerland Spiritualist Church of the Comforter carried on.

In 1951 a freeway was constructed through Summerland and the Church of the Comforter had to find a new home, here at 1028 Garden Street. We are still here and still carrying on. We are proud that our church is still active and growing after 120 years of being in existence. We are looking forward to the next 100 years

Adopted by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches

1. We believe in Infinite Intelligence.
2. We believe that the phenomena of Nature both physical and spiritual are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
3. We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith constitute true religion.
4. We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.
5. We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.
6. We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
7. We affirm the moral responsibility of individuals, and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.
8. We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any soul here or hereafter.
9. We affirm that the Precepts of Prophecy and Healing are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship.

Principles 1-6 adopted in Chicago, Illinois, 1899
Principles 7-8 adopted in Rochester, New York, 1909
Principle 9 adopted in St. Louis, Missouri, 1944
Principle 9 revised in Oklahoma City, 1983
Principle 9 revised in Westfield, New Jersey, 1998
Principle 8 revised in Rochester, New York, 2001
Principle 6 revised in Ronkonkoma, New York, 2004

The Sunflower is native to the soil of the United States, however it has been transplanted to many other soils all over the world. In 1948 Spiritualism was recognized as a religion in 38 Nations.

The Sunflower is like a magnet. It attracts selectively. The uncommon nectar of Spiritualism is very similar to its official flower. Spiritualism appeals not to the masses but to the individual who seeks reason, the individual who substitutes something beyond mere faith.

The Sunflower rests upon a strong stalk. Spiritualism also demonstrates to mankind that peace and understanding here and hereafter depend on strong character.

The long reach of the Sunflower protects the weaker plants and flowers and helps shield them from the angry winds. It tends to balance the natural forces to give protection to the plants it is near. Spiritualism can be expressed in the same light. It protects man from superstition that prohibits his spiritual growth and provides him with a solid foundation upon which he can base a firm groundwork of understanding of why he is here, what he must do and where he is going.

The Sunflower also provides a great medicinal value and contains almost a complete balance of all natural vitamins and minerals. Spiritualism stresses the value of spiritual and physical healing.

Therefore, Our Motto is: “As the Sunflower turns its face to the light of the sun, so Spiritualism turns the face of humanity to the light of Truth.”