At a meeting on 25 October, 1883, the dissolution of the Central Association of Spiritualists took effect, whereupon the Rev Stainton Moses moved for the foundation of a new society, subsequently to be called The London Spiritualist Alliance.

The term "spiritualist" was used in its broadest sense as a belief in survival of death, rather than today's more limited use of "Spiritualism" as a "religion". The prime movers of the new society were the Rev. Stainton Moses and Mr. E Dawson Rogers, a journalist of note. The Rev. Stainton Moses – "MA Oxon.", the pseudonym he sometimes used – was an Anglican priest and a remarkable medium. His communications ('channellings' as they would now be called), were voluminous and highly regarded. Published as "Spirit Teachings", they went into several editions. His personal books and numerous notebooks of collected writings are in the College Archives. He died in 1892, leaving his personal library to The London Spiritualist Alliance.

It was not until 1925 that The London Spiritualist Alliance was able to acquire premises of its own. The purchase price of £5,000 for the freehold of 16 Queensberry Place, was almost exactly the amount in the Memorial Endowment Fund, started at the end of the 1914-1918 war at the suggestion of Mr. David Gow. Donations were invited from those who, in their war bereavement, had received consolation from the knowledge and experience of spiritualism.

Our headquarters are, therefore the actual memorial donated as an expression of gratitude by the bereaved of the First World War. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was tireless in helping the bereaved, was President in the 1920's, and the name was changed to The College of Psychic Science on 31 January 1955 and The College of Psychic Studies in 1970.

The College has accumulated one of the finest collections of specialist books which has been used by generations of scholars. Throughout its history, the College has aimed to foster psychic development at its highest level and has been host to many of the greatest names in mediumship including D D Home (whose well-known portrait hangs above the fireplace in our lecture hall), along with other portraits of distinguished mediums. On the stairs leading from the lecture hall is a portrait of Etta Wreidt, an American medium.

The College has encouraged the work of mediums who, as pioneers in media work, have appeared successfully in many television and radio programmes. Among them Ena Twigg, Douglas Johnson and Ivy Northage. However, no history of the College would be complete without mentioning the sixteen years' presidency of Paul Beard, the author of three books which have become classics in their field. From 1968, Paul skilfully developed the College's work and its reputation has been further enhanced under his guidance.

In recent years the work of the College has expanded to accommodate people's needs. This is reflected in the way the College serves its members and the community by fostering and promoting new teaching and educational methods. It welcomes the truths of all spiritual traditions and each and every individual, and the values which are focused upon in the Colleges lectures, workshops and courses are devoted to increasing awareness and understanding of these truths.

The declared note of the then new College, as it was expressed at an inaugural meeting in November 1883, remains true to this day: "We have room for all who realise the importance, in a materialistic age, of expressing a belief that there is something behind matter and that death does not end all."