Our History

Around 1910, a visiting U.S. author and lecturer, Dr. T. W. Butler formed a group of interested persons who met in the old Congregational Church at the corner of Blanshard Street and Pandora Avenue in Victoria.

In 1915, the group became charter members of the International New Thought Alliance (INTA).

The congregation grew and in 1921, they purchased the property at 935 Pandora Avenue in Victoria and it was named the “New Thought Temple”.

The church subsequently merged with a Unity Church group and, in 1934, the Victoria Truth Centre was formed.

In 1938, Dr. Emma Smiley was named president of the Victoria Truth Centre and later that year she was ordained as a minister. She was appointed permanent leader of the church in 1940 and for more than 40 years until her passing in 1983, Dr. Smiley became recognized as one of North America’s leading New Thought ministers.

Victoria Truth Centre is a charter and lifetime member of the International New Thought Alliance (INTA). Dr. Smiley served as Vice President of the INTA, and in 1974 she was honoured in Los Angeles for her many years of support and service. Her achievements include publishing a multitude of books on the New Thought movement, some of which continue to be used today by New Thought congregations in both Canada and the U.S. (We invite you to visit our church library to review a complete inventory of her writings, along with other contemporary New Thought authors.)

All current ministers of the Victoria Truth Centre were trained by Dr. Smiley and follow her teachings. She was a blessing to all whose lives she touched.