Mapping a Fragmented Faith
This is the second of a five-part serialised essay that traces the spiritual inheritance of my great-grandfather John Williamson.
Having established in Part 1 how John Williamson's spiritual journey reflects our modern struggles with religious identity—navigating diverse family traditions while forging personal meaning in changing social contexts—we now turn to mapping the specific religious landscape that shaped his faith inheritance.
The following timeline provides a chronological overview of key religious events and affiliations across three generations. Before exploring the details of John Williamson's religious heritage, the following timeline provides a chronological overview of key religious events and affiliations across three generations. This visual representation helps illustrate how faith evolved through Moses and Caroline's diverse spiritual backgrounds, ultimately shaping the religious context in which John was raised.
Family Group portrait of Moses Williamson’s family, 1906
Williamson Family Faith Journey at a Glance
1860s–1880s: Religious Movements in Context
1860s: Christian Israelite Church, established in Fitzroyi
1862: Free Church of England secedes from the Anglican Church in Collingwood.ii
Late 19th Century: Spiritualism flourishes in Melbourneiii
1880s: Church of Christ becomes established in York, Western Australia
Moses Williamson (John’s father)
1863: Baptised in Christian Israelite Church (Fitzroy)iv
1885: Married Caroline Munro in Free Church of England.v
1888: Joined Freemasons (Victoria Lodge, Hawthorn, VIC)vi
1890: Moses and his wife move to Western Australia
1892: transferred within the Freemasons (York Lodge, WA)vii
1922: transferred within the Freemasons (Star in the East Lodge, NSW)viii
Caroline Munro (John’s mother)
1864: Baptised in Scotch Church in Bengal India
1879: Caroline’s father Andrew provided gas lighting services for Spiritualist meetings.ix
1885: Married Moses Williamson in Free Church of England.x
1890: Caroline and her husband move to Western Australia
1913: Caroline’s sister Blanche active in Victorian Free Church of Spiritual Philosophy.xi
1917: Mother became a founding member of the Melbourne Society of Spiritual Researchxii
John Aaron Palmer Williamson
1892: Born in York, Western Australia.xiii
[Date unknown]: member of Church of Christ
1916: Enlisted in WWI (denomination listed: Church of Christ)xiv
1922: Married Margaret Edith Jacka in a Methodist Churchxv
Moses Williamson: Structure, Certainty, and Fraternal Faith
John’s father, Moses Williamson, was a devout but spiritually curious man. His affiliations reflect a desire for religious certainty, moral structure, and perhaps community belonging:
Christian Israelite Church in Fitzroy, Victoria: Moses was baptised into this sect,xvi founded by John Wroe, which blended Old Testament law with a belief in the imminent return of Christ. It was highly structured and theologically unique.
Free Church of England in Abbotsford, Victoria: Moses and Caroline married under Rev. Nathaniel Kinsman, whose pragmatic ministry—conducting weddings in his parlor adjacent to his auction business—reflected the couple's flexible approach to religious formalities. (For more details on this remarkable marriage setting, see my previous article: [An Interfaith Marriage in 1885]).xvii
Freemasonry: Moses joined multiple lodges in Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales. Freemasonry, while not a religion, provided moral structure and a spiritual fraternity that likely complemented his personal search for meaning.xviii xix xx
Moses’s journey models a disciplined but eclectic approach to faith—ordered, committed, and open to alternative expressions of belief.
Caroline Munro: A Spiritualist Legacy
In contrast to Moses’ structured path, Caroline’s heritage emphasised exploration and metaphysical inquiry:
Spiritualist Lineage: Her father supported Spiritualist gatherings, her mother co-founded a local society for spiritual research, and her sister Blanche became a public figure in Spiritualist circles.xxi xxii xxiii xxiv
Her mother, Isabella Munro (née Jennings), was also involved in the Spiritualist Movement.xxv
This tension between structured religion and metaphysical openness would become the backdrop of John’s spiritual inheritance.
John’s Faith Formation: Adapting in York’s Religious Landscape
Born in 1892 after his parents had relocated to York, Western Australia, John grew up in a very different religious environment. Unlike Melbourne, York offered fewer religious options, but among them was the Church of Christ:
A natural bridge between his parents' backgrounds: Structured and scripturally grounded for Moses, yet non-hierarchical and individually focused in ways resonant with Caroline’s spiritualist milieu.
A practical choice: The Church of Christ was likely one of the most accessible and community-integrated options in York.
A sustained affiliation: John’s WWI enlistment papers list his denomination as Church of Christ, suggesting continued identification into adulthood.
Rather than the result of a dramatic spiritual awakening, John’s affiliation with the Church of Christ seems to reflect a faith he was born into—one that naturally emerged from his upbringing and surroundings, and which proved adaptable to his evolving life circumstances.
Next: Part 3 – Vows and Voices of the Past
Foot Notes
i Christian Israelite Church Website, History of the church in Fitzroy, Melbourne, (accessed https://christianisraelite.org/history/ : 12 may 2025) [Explanation: confirms when the Church was established]
ii Collingwood Historical Society Website, Notable People of Collingwood Database, Nathaniel Kinsman, (accessed https://collingwoodhs.org.au/resources/notable-people-2/collingwood-notables-database/entry/383/ : 12 May 2025) [Explanation: confirms the evolution of the Victorian Free Church out of the St Mark;s parish in 1862]
iii eMelburne the city past & Present website, Spiritualism and Mesmerism, (accessed https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01410b.htm :12 May 2025) [Explanation: touches on Spiritualism in the wider cnotext and its presence in Melbourne]
iv Email correspondence, Lynne Gary (Member of Christian Israelite Church) to Sandra Williamson, email, Subject line: “John Williamson family” 19 March 2022, Original in author’s possession. [Explanation: confirming John’s family involvement with the Christian Israelite Church in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.]
v Marriage Certificate Moses Williamson & Caroline Munro, 1885; Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, 7312/1885 [Explanation: confirming marriage details of parents, including the church.]
vi Membership entry for Moses Williamson, Initiated 13 November 1888, Victoria Lodge, Hawthorn, Victoria, Lodge 2009; Membership Registers: Colonial and Foreign I 1788-1919 to Colonial and Foreign J 1923-2037, folio 251, line 11. [Explanation: Confirming member of Victoria Lodge in Hawthorn, Victoria]
vii Membership entry for Moses Williamson Initiated 5 October 1892, York Lodge, Western Australia, Lodge 2118, year 1892, folio 214, line 31; Ancestry.com. England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.; Citing Original data: Membership registers 1751-1921 from the collection of the United Grand Lodge of England held by the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. Images reproduced by courtesy of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London.
viii Lodge Certificate entry for Moses Williamson, Star in the East (Lodge 160) Register of Grand Lodge Certificates issued by the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales Certificate #67033, year 1922, unnumbered folio. (Accessed FamilySearch, New South Wales. Society Records 1922 Number/Image Group Number: 004894975) [Explanation: Confirming member of Star in the East Lodge membership in New South Wales, Australia] & Membership entry for Moses Williamson, Star in the East, (entry 579) Register Lodge Register of Star of East (Accessed FamilySearch, Film Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Society Records 1886–1994 Number/Image Group Number: 004895254) [Explanation: Confirming member of Star in the East Lodge membership in New South Wales, Australia]
ix NEWS OF THE DAY. (1879, November 12). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved May 12, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244750312 [Explanation: Caroline's father was doing the lights for the meetings of the Spiritualists at the Academy of Music(The Bijou Theartre)]
x Marriage Certificate Moses Williamson & Caroline Munro, 1885; Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, 7312/1885 [Explanation: confirming marriage details of parents, including the church.]
xi Advertising: Spiritualist Services (1913, December 13). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. Retrieved May 12, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7275141 [Explanation: Mrs. Pedley, Caroline’s sister is scheduled to give a talk at the Victorian Free Chruch of Spiritual Philosophy.]
xii OLDEST WOMAN IN VICTORIA (1937, December 30). Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved May 12, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143402977 [Explanation: During an interview Caroline’s mother, Isabella Munro states that she was a founding member of the Melbourne Society of Spiritual Research, thus probably indicating that she was firmly establish in the Spiritualist Movement.]
xiii Birth Certificate John Aaron Palmer Williamson, 28 April 1892, York (Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Western Australia, Registered 17 May 1892 Registration No. 630)
xiv John Palmer Williamson (service number 10030), WWI Service record, National Archives of Australia, Series number B2455, Item ID 8389870
xv Marriage Certificate of John Aaron Palmer Williamson & Margaret Edith Jacka 1822 (Original a Marriage Transcription by Joy Murrin (Transcription Agent NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages) citing NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Marriage, Certificate 11616 year 1922)
xvi Email correspondence, Lynne Gary (Member of Christian Israelite Church) to Sandra Williamson, email, Subject line: “John Williamson family” 19 March 2022, Original in author’s possession. [Explanation: confirming John’s family involvement with the Christian Israelite Church in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.]
xvii Marriage Certificate Moses Williamson & Caroline Munro, 1885; Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, 7312/1885 [Explanation: confirming marriage details of parents, including the church.]
xviii Membership entry for Moses Williamson, Initiated 13 November 1888, Victoria Lodge, Hawthorn, Victoria, Lodge 2009; Membership Registers: Colonial and Foreign I 1788-1919 to Colonial and Foreign J 1923-2037, folio 251, line 11. [Explanation: Confirming member of Victoria Lodge in Hawthorn, Victoria]
xix Membership entry for Moses Williamson Initiated 5 October 1892, York Lodge, Western Australia, Lodge 2118, year 1892, folio 214, line 31; Ancestry.com. England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.; Citing Original data: Membership registers 1751-1921 from the collection of the United Grand Lodge of England held by the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. Images reproduced by courtesy of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London.
xx Lodge Certificate entry for Moses Williamson, Star in the East (Lodge 160) Register of Grand Lodge Certificates issued by the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales Certificate #67033, year 1922, unnumbered folio. (Accessed FamilySearch, New South Wales. Society Records 1922 Number/Image Group Number: 004894975) [Explanation: Confirming member of Star in the East Lodge membership in New South Wales, Australia] & Membership entry for Moses Williamson, Star in the East, (entry 579) Register Lodge Register of Star of East (Accessed FamilySearch, Film Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Society Records 1886–1994 Number/Image Group Number: 004895254) [Explanation: Confirming member of Star in the East Lodge membership in New South Wales, Australia]
xxi 1879 'NEWS OF THE DAY.', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 12 November, p. 2. , viewed 04 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244750312 [Explanation: establishes Caroline’s father association with the Spiritualist movement.]
xxii 1914 'SELF TO BE MASTERED', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 9 March, p. 3. , viewed 28 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242141095 [Explanation: Confirming Caroline’s sister status as a teacher at the Victorian Free Church of Spiritual Philosophy]
xxiii 1914 'SELF TO BE MASTERED', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 9 March, p. 3. , viewed 28 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242141095 [Explanation: Confirming Caroline’s sister status as a teacher at the Victorian Free Church of Spiritual Philosophy]
xxiv Deaths Otago Daily Times, Issue 18497, 7 March 1922, Page 4 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19220307.2.15 [Explanation: Confirming Caroline’s sister involvement with the Spiritualist Church]
xxv 1937 'Will Spend Christmas Looking Back Over Century', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 24 December, p. 1. , viewed 23 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11135449 [Explanation: establishes Caroline’s mother’s as an original member of the Melbourne Society of Spiritual Research, a group focused on spirit communication and metaphysical inquiry]
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