Entry No. 9 — the Santa Barbara file — filed under: spiritualist church

Spiritualist Church of the Comforter

Chartered in 1891 in the nearby town of Summerland — itself founded in 1883 by ex-Union paymaster H.L. Williams as a colony for spiritualists who held group séances at a hall later demolished for the 101 freeway — the congregation relocated to this Garden Street chapel in 1951 and still opens Sundays with a healing service followed by spirit 'messages' from a certified medium.

The move: Attend the 10:30am healing service and 11am regular service together as observers (open to visitors), then walk the mile down to the site of old Summerland to see where the original séance hall once stood.

• 📍 Downtown Santa Barbara
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1028 Garden St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: scotc.org · independent.com

last checked: 2026-07-20