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The Abode Of Love: A Memoir
The Abode of Love is Kate Barlow's remarkable tale of growing up within a religious cult. Founded in the nineteenth century by a charismatic priest, the Agapemone (Greek for 'abode of love') later gained yet more notoriety when Kate's grandfather, who then led the community, claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.Protected from the truth about her family's past by a wall of secrecy, it was years before Kate or her two sisters unearthed details of their grandfather's controversial claim and learned of the rumours that had circulated within the local community of sexual scandals, 'spiritual brides' and peculiar rituals. By piecing together details from old photographs and conversations with some of the elderly ladies who formed the last remnants of the cult, Kate gradually builds up a picture of the world she grew up in and comes to understand the exclusion and unhappiness that her mother and uncles experienced as illegitimate children named Glory, Power and Life in the early twentieth century.Over fifty years on from the sale of the Agapemone estate, which marked the end for the Abode of Love, there is still the question of what to do about the Ark of the Covenant, the church built by Kate's grandfather in north London and under the roof of which he made his outrageous claim. As in all good stories, the end is never quite the end.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 24, 2013
Delightful and fascinating. Never sensationalized. I'd love to hear Ms Barlow relate her story over a cup of tea.
February 21, 2016
So what's wrong with growing up in a Messianic Cult? (the Agapemonites...living in the Abode Of Love.)
Nothing - if you get to have friends visit and slide on Pillows down the sacred aisles in the Holy Sanctuary of your dead Jesus/Grandpa. Just don't get caught - or tarred and feathered by angry locals. (But I don't want to give too much away.)
Little Kate and a friend chatting: pg. 170
"Your Grandfather, Smyth-pig...pig...oh, whatever his name was, said he was Jesus."
"Don't be stupid."
"I'm not." She persisted.
"I heard my aunt and Mummy talking about the Aga...Agap...your home...and they said YOUR GRANDFATHER said he was Jesus."
"Well, they're wrong." I retorted... "Nobody goes around saying they are JESUS!"
This was a delightful account of Kate being raised in the remains of a once prosperous Christian Cult led by her holy family. Similar to an "Anne of Green Gables" setting, but in Spaxton - South West England. (Not that i've ever read Anne of Green Gables - But I walked through a room once while it was playing on T.V.. I assume that qualifies me as an opinionated expert)
I was excited to learn that Kate now lives in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. That is where I grew up. "Yayyy" Tiger-cat Football team... and Neil Peart (the drummer from the Rock group RUSH). As Kate Barlow escaped from a Messianic English Cult - I escaped from Hamilton. I found True Christianity, Kate exited from false-christianity.
The cult was named "The Agapemones". It functioned mostly from 1840's to...
Sunday September 7, 1902 My Grandpa declared himself to be the 2nd Jesus. "I am that Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again and descended into heaven; I am that Lord Jesus come again in my own body... blah blah blah." Let the games begin.
Endless bad theology and lazy Bible readers fed this charismatic cult for decades. So typical. Kate says, "By July 1884, He was leading holiness meeting twice a week and had converts rolling on the floor in spiritual ecstasy." That's all it takes to start a cult - just a few charismatics.
All of this mess started when a few bad preachers (who got kicked out of more traditional Christian establishments) started teaching about spiritual brides. Eventually these SPIRITUAL BRIDES (never to be confused with physical brides) started getting pregnant. Abode of love had a LOT OF LOVE (basically just sex.) The book does mention how beautiful these brides were.
It's amazing how often women are essentially involved, and play a huge part, in creating and sustaining a ridiculous religious cult. The man makes the claims - then a few desperately gullible insecure prideful women back him up with charismatic approval. Here's a disturbing example: pg 163
"After this there was silence until a well-dressed woman got up in the centre of the congregation. 'Every word he has spoken,' she said, 'God has spoken'. God is here. I see him on the altar.'"
________________
Here's my favorite quote from the book: pg. 118
"Did they perhaps preach, read, farm, feed the poor? The faithful, it seemed, did very little...were content to drink good sherry and play billiards while they waited to sweep up their heavenly rewards."
Often, serious Bible reading is discouraged in Christian cults. OR Worse: Bible reading/comprehension can only happen through the authority and teaching of the Cult leaders.
Thankfully men like William Tyndale came along in the 1500's. And said:
Tyndale (who translated the Bible into English), aged just 22, spoke his famous words to another clergyman:
“If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow, shall know more of Scripture than thou doest.” (1522, Foxes Book of Martyrs)
Apparently "thou doest" is the Catholic Church - as well as those in Messianic Cults like the Agapemonites. This is always easy to spot though: just look for the lust for Money, Sex, Power, and occasional Pride. Presto: CULT!
___________________
So Catherine (KITTY) Kate comes along in 1941. The prophets and preachers are dead, all the men are gone, and the money is mostly run dry. So we have a Kate and her sisters growing up, in a large house, surrounded by lonely Grannies, and a few remaining servants. Eventually Kate begins getting curious about her families mysterious past (and present) and becomes a Nancy Drew/Miss Marples detective ON A QUEST - and this book is her quest. We get to enjoy it with her.
Interesting thought:
This cult had their own Hymn book. I'm surprised that Kate never inspected it. Or compared it to the Bible. Perhaps a Theological inquiry into the heresy of Grandpa's teachings. Now that would be fun. (for me anyway.)
I fully enjoyed the back and forth moments from Kate's life to that of the Cult's past.
They have a dog named GAY, That is just about as offensive as a Pig named Muhammad. Thankfully Kate's horse was named Pinto (I'm sure the beans are somehow upset.)
___________________
Just before reading this, I was researching a local Cult rather close to me, called "The Brother 12".
quote:
"He soon attracted a devoted following, including a group of wealthy and socially prominent individuals. Having taken the name Brother XII, he established the Aquarian Foundation in 1927. ...Wilson encouraged his followers to build homes in his colony Cedar-by-the-Sea on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. With the goal of creating a self-sufficient community independent of the outside world.
Still, Brother XII's misuse of Foundation funds and his extramarital affair with a woman who he claimed was his soul-mate led to the breakup of the colony. The Aquarian Foundation was legally dissolved in 1929, though he continued his work with the followers who had remained loyal to him during the crisis, as well as a number of new recruits."
Wow, almost identical to the Agapemonites. Bad Biblical theology, sex, money, power... and some really stupid gullible followers (some who are wealthy, to fund the insanity). Another common theme is that the Cult's rules never seem to apply to the founder OR LEADERS. You would think more people would spot this crap. Nope!
So what's wrong with cults? Aren't people free to choose whatever crazy brand of religious spirituality they desire? It's not that simple - we are at war. Here's a fearful issue: pg 69
"A private sanatorium in Middlesex, where Louisa (Abode member) was admitted, supposedly suffering from delusions. It took her more than a year to escape. She was swiftly recaptured but not before making contact with the faithful William Cobbe, who persuaded the Commissioners of lunacy to investigate her case. They found that she was suffering from Religious Delusion, but her detention was resulting in physical deterioration. The commissioners ordered her release."
Sending religious folks to sanatoriums because? This is what Sam Harris, Dawkins, Hitchens... and all other militant atheists would quickly do with the religious if they could. Notice how their imprisonment certainly didn't help - But cults make all religions look bad and insanely dangerous. Satan is proud of his achievements.
I enjoyed the few enlightened comments from Kate's reflections: pg 235
"And his legacy to me? It is a lifelong disinterest in religion and a suspicion of charismatic people, who so often prey on the gullible."
This matches interestingly with a childhood moment of fun (sliding on cushions in the Holy Temple): pg 110
"A quick glance over my shoulder saw Pam heading for the Bible stand. I reached the dais just as Pam rolled off her cushion to avoid crashing into it. She lay there staring up into the eagle's eyes.
'You look like its PREY,' I yelled... soon we were both rolling with laughter.
The only thing that could have made this book better was: A Space Alien Car Chase, and a Harry Potter Wizard duel, possibly with a dragon. OR maybe more of Kate's life after she fully understood this Cultic upbringing. She mentions very little: Except that now she's skeptical of religion. So, the Cult did its job perfectly. Keep looking for the truth Kate - you were surrounded by evidence - a Thing twisted and abused: is still a thing.
Nothing - if you get to have friends visit and slide on Pillows down the sacred aisles in the Holy Sanctuary of your dead Jesus/Grandpa. Just don't get caught - or tarred and feathered by angry locals. (But I don't want to give too much away.)
Little Kate and a friend chatting: pg. 170
"Your Grandfather, Smyth-pig...pig...oh, whatever his name was, said he was Jesus."
"Don't be stupid."
"I'm not." She persisted.
"I heard my aunt and Mummy talking about the Aga...Agap...your home...and they said YOUR GRANDFATHER said he was Jesus."
"Well, they're wrong." I retorted... "Nobody goes around saying they are JESUS!"
This was a delightful account of Kate being raised in the remains of a once prosperous Christian Cult led by her holy family. Similar to an "Anne of Green Gables" setting, but in Spaxton - South West England. (Not that i've ever read Anne of Green Gables - But I walked through a room once while it was playing on T.V.. I assume that qualifies me as an opinionated expert)
I was excited to learn that Kate now lives in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. That is where I grew up. "Yayyy" Tiger-cat Football team... and Neil Peart (the drummer from the Rock group RUSH). As Kate Barlow escaped from a Messianic English Cult - I escaped from Hamilton. I found True Christianity, Kate exited from false-christianity.
The cult was named "The Agapemones". It functioned mostly from 1840's to...
Sunday September 7, 1902 My Grandpa declared himself to be the 2nd Jesus. "I am that Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again and descended into heaven; I am that Lord Jesus come again in my own body... blah blah blah." Let the games begin.
Endless bad theology and lazy Bible readers fed this charismatic cult for decades. So typical. Kate says, "By July 1884, He was leading holiness meeting twice a week and had converts rolling on the floor in spiritual ecstasy." That's all it takes to start a cult - just a few charismatics.
All of this mess started when a few bad preachers (who got kicked out of more traditional Christian establishments) started teaching about spiritual brides. Eventually these SPIRITUAL BRIDES (never to be confused with physical brides) started getting pregnant. Abode of love had a LOT OF LOVE (basically just sex.) The book does mention how beautiful these brides were.
It's amazing how often women are essentially involved, and play a huge part, in creating and sustaining a ridiculous religious cult. The man makes the claims - then a few desperately gullible insecure prideful women back him up with charismatic approval. Here's a disturbing example: pg 163
"After this there was silence until a well-dressed woman got up in the centre of the congregation. 'Every word he has spoken,' she said, 'God has spoken'. God is here. I see him on the altar.'"
________________
Here's my favorite quote from the book: pg. 118
"Did they perhaps preach, read, farm, feed the poor? The faithful, it seemed, did very little...were content to drink good sherry and play billiards while they waited to sweep up their heavenly rewards."
Often, serious Bible reading is discouraged in Christian cults. OR Worse: Bible reading/comprehension can only happen through the authority and teaching of the Cult leaders.
Thankfully men like William Tyndale came along in the 1500's. And said:
Tyndale (who translated the Bible into English), aged just 22, spoke his famous words to another clergyman:
“If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow, shall know more of Scripture than thou doest.” (1522, Foxes Book of Martyrs)
Apparently "thou doest" is the Catholic Church - as well as those in Messianic Cults like the Agapemonites. This is always easy to spot though: just look for the lust for Money, Sex, Power, and occasional Pride. Presto: CULT!
___________________
So Catherine (KITTY) Kate comes along in 1941. The prophets and preachers are dead, all the men are gone, and the money is mostly run dry. So we have a Kate and her sisters growing up, in a large house, surrounded by lonely Grannies, and a few remaining servants. Eventually Kate begins getting curious about her families mysterious past (and present) and becomes a Nancy Drew/Miss Marples detective ON A QUEST - and this book is her quest. We get to enjoy it with her.
Interesting thought:
This cult had their own Hymn book. I'm surprised that Kate never inspected it. Or compared it to the Bible. Perhaps a Theological inquiry into the heresy of Grandpa's teachings. Now that would be fun. (for me anyway.)
I fully enjoyed the back and forth moments from Kate's life to that of the Cult's past.
They have a dog named GAY, That is just about as offensive as a Pig named Muhammad. Thankfully Kate's horse was named Pinto (I'm sure the beans are somehow upset.)
___________________
Just before reading this, I was researching a local Cult rather close to me, called "The Brother 12".
quote:
"He soon attracted a devoted following, including a group of wealthy and socially prominent individuals. Having taken the name Brother XII, he established the Aquarian Foundation in 1927. ...Wilson encouraged his followers to build homes in his colony Cedar-by-the-Sea on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. With the goal of creating a self-sufficient community independent of the outside world.
Still, Brother XII's misuse of Foundation funds and his extramarital affair with a woman who he claimed was his soul-mate led to the breakup of the colony. The Aquarian Foundation was legally dissolved in 1929, though he continued his work with the followers who had remained loyal to him during the crisis, as well as a number of new recruits."
Wow, almost identical to the Agapemonites. Bad Biblical theology, sex, money, power... and some really stupid gullible followers (some who are wealthy, to fund the insanity). Another common theme is that the Cult's rules never seem to apply to the founder OR LEADERS. You would think more people would spot this crap. Nope!
So what's wrong with cults? Aren't people free to choose whatever crazy brand of religious spirituality they desire? It's not that simple - we are at war. Here's a fearful issue: pg 69
"A private sanatorium in Middlesex, where Louisa (Abode member) was admitted, supposedly suffering from delusions. It took her more than a year to escape. She was swiftly recaptured but not before making contact with the faithful William Cobbe, who persuaded the Commissioners of lunacy to investigate her case. They found that she was suffering from Religious Delusion, but her detention was resulting in physical deterioration. The commissioners ordered her release."
Sending religious folks to sanatoriums because? This is what Sam Harris, Dawkins, Hitchens... and all other militant atheists would quickly do with the religious if they could. Notice how their imprisonment certainly didn't help - But cults make all religions look bad and insanely dangerous. Satan is proud of his achievements.
I enjoyed the few enlightened comments from Kate's reflections: pg 235
"And his legacy to me? It is a lifelong disinterest in religion and a suspicion of charismatic people, who so often prey on the gullible."
This matches interestingly with a childhood moment of fun (sliding on cushions in the Holy Temple): pg 110
"A quick glance over my shoulder saw Pam heading for the Bible stand. I reached the dais just as Pam rolled off her cushion to avoid crashing into it. She lay there staring up into the eagle's eyes.
'You look like its PREY,' I yelled... soon we were both rolling with laughter.
The only thing that could have made this book better was: A Space Alien Car Chase, and a Harry Potter Wizard duel, possibly with a dragon. OR maybe more of Kate's life after she fully understood this Cultic upbringing. She mentions very little: Except that now she's skeptical of religion. So, the Cult did its job perfectly. Keep looking for the truth Kate - you were surrounded by evidence - a Thing twisted and abused: is still a thing.
October 29, 2020
Kate Barlow's memoir focuses on her search for information about her family and her efforts in trying to get to the bottom of the cult / religion / sect, called the Agapemonites (The Abode of Love).
Her grandfather, John Hugh Smyth-Pigott had joined this group and ended up claiming he was the messiah. The ridicule and controversy this put on Barlow's family was intense, with the press of the early 1900s on the lookout for scandal.
Throughout the book Kate is trying to reconcile how her family was part of this group and what it meant to her growing up and being kept in the dark about her family's history - just a snippet here and there would ever be revealed.
It is an interesting, though at times, confusing read.
Her grandfather, John Hugh Smyth-Pigott had joined this group and ended up claiming he was the messiah. The ridicule and controversy this put on Barlow's family was intense, with the press of the early 1900s on the lookout for scandal.
Throughout the book Kate is trying to reconcile how her family was part of this group and what it meant to her growing up and being kept in the dark about her family's history - just a snippet here and there would ever be revealed.
It is an interesting, though at times, confusing read.
April 29, 2023
This was lent to me by the author. It took a bit to get into the actual story but once I familiarized myself with the names it became much easier to read. For those who say it’s disjointed you need to appreciate chapter titles to really comprehend the author’s intentions.
I found the story quite interesting. Families are rather protective of their past particularly when they have inherited a peculiar heritage. Perhaps because I know Kate personally I found the story quite intriguing and telling.
I found the story quite interesting. Families are rather protective of their past particularly when they have inherited a peculiar heritage. Perhaps because I know Kate personally I found the story quite intriguing and telling.
Read
February 6, 2020I wanted to read this because I have a vague notion that I have some tenuous family connection to the Agapemonite community. Sadly the people I could ask are now all dead - but I feel sure that mum and I used to go to Somerset in the 1970s and visit with two old ladies who I seem to recall being named Ethel and Little Tommie (who was very small).
Anyway, it was an interesting read and made me wish there was more to discover ...
Anyway, it was an interesting read and made me wish there was more to discover ...
August 29, 2021
What an interesting read. I had never heard of this 'cult'. Mind you by modern standards it seems a bit extreme to call it a cult. Kate tells a story of the history of the group interwoven with her childhood memoirs and tells it well.
August 8, 2018
Well-written, full of detail and remarkable research.
February 7, 2011
Didn't really know what to expect from this book but I found it quite interesting - quite an extraordinary story.
Back Cover Blurb:
The Abode of Love is Kate Barlow's remarkable account of growing up within the remnants of a religious cult.
Protected from the truth about her family's past by a wall of secrecy, it was years before Kate unearthed details of her grandfather's controversial claim to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and learned of the rumours that had circulated within the local Somerset community of sexual scandals, 'spiritual brides' and peculiar rituals.
This is the compelling story of how one woman pieced together a hidden family history and uncovered a more riveting and shocking truth than she ever imagined.
Back Cover Blurb:
The Abode of Love is Kate Barlow's remarkable account of growing up within the remnants of a religious cult.
Protected from the truth about her family's past by a wall of secrecy, it was years before Kate unearthed details of her grandfather's controversial claim to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and learned of the rumours that had circulated within the local Somerset community of sexual scandals, 'spiritual brides' and peculiar rituals.
This is the compelling story of how one woman pieced together a hidden family history and uncovered a more riveting and shocking truth than she ever imagined.
March 15, 2017
Slightly confusing as it hops backwards and forwards through time, but if you have a foreknowledge of the general outlines of what's going on it's fascinating. I would love to know what happened to the three sisters in adult life.
February 12, 2009
Remarkable tale of growing up within a religious cult.
April 16, 2014
A bit too disjointed for me, plus a large list of characters that I found tricky to keep up with.
December 3, 2012
Interesting - a little confusing at times with the jumble of names - but definitely interesting.
May 4, 2013
Thought it would be an insightful glimpse into what I expected to be a wildly alternative upbringing. But it wasn't really out of the ordinary.
June 24, 2017
Loved it. I had wanted to read it for a while ever since I heard this: http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcas...
August 24, 2016
interesting but kind of disjointed
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews