Rev. Anthony Camardo

I came across Rev. Anthony Camardo while I was researching Italian-Americans involved with American Spiritualism, and he's quickly become one of my favorite people I've researched. Rev. Anthony Camardo was an Italian-American Spiritualist from Chicago. He was described as "a short and cheerful man," affectionately called "Tony" by his congregation. He was founder of the Liberal Psychic Science Association, and Pastor of the Liberal Psychic Science Church. 

In 1928 the 27 year old Camardo was drawn into a somewhat high profile criminal investigation. An eight year old named Billy Ranieri was kidnapped on his way home from school in Chicago, and held for ransom. Ranieri was rescued and his kidnappers were caught, and it was discovered that one of the men had a business card of Anthony Camardo's in his wallet. Camardo was questioned by the State Attorney; he explained that he had only met the man once, and that he was brought as a guest to a séance that he had facilitated. 

In 1935 Anthony Camardo was listed as a member of the First Italian Spiritualist Church, where he would regularly assist in Sunday Services. By 1937 Rev. Anthony was ordained as a Spiritualist Minister and was leading his own congregation; in 1941 he formed his own Spiritualist Association, the Liberal Psychic Science Church. 

A few different articles describe Camardo's church; the main entrance lead to a fellowship hall on the ground floor. This fellowship hall had folding chairs and several tables with small packages of incense for sale for 25 cents. A reporter made note of a few song birds that were in cages, a parrot, a few tanks of fish, and two resting dogs (a spaniel and a bulldog) were present in the fellowship hall during his visit. 

The sanctuary was somewhat dark, with rows of folding chairs; the platform had a lectern, and a wooden altar table with a cross. The windows in the sanctuary overlooked a small garden. There was a painting of Jesus in a white robe, a few statues of Catholic Saints, and some busts of figures in Turbans. 

The church hosted regular Sunday Services, as well as Wednesday night services. The congregation also met for monthly development circles. One particularly interesting feature of Rev. Camardo's church service is that in addition to Healing and Messages typical of most Spiritualist Churches, the Liberal Psychic Science Church also offered Communion to the congregation on a fairly regular basis, which is somewhat unusual for most Spiritualist Churches.

The Church also had an auxiliary organization called the Liberal Psychic Science Welfare Federation, which organized events such as a Christmas Bazaar, Holiday Parties, and Church dinners (chicken and spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli were mentioned).

In 1948 Camardo served as President of the Federation of Spiritual Churches and Associations, which was the American branch of the International Spiritualist Federation. He served alongside notable Spiritualists such as John & Helen Gerling of Rochester, New York and also Rev. A. Mae Baxter Gruner, the President of Harmony Grove Spiritualist Camp in Southern California. He was described as one of the pillars of the organization: 

"Tony" Camardo has many virtues, but there is one high quality which he possesses that so overshadows all others that the one word which is most apt to characterize him is FRIENDLY. His great and good work is the true embodiment of friendlies, which reaches out to folks and makes them want to listen to the Voice of Spirit that works through him. Rev. Anthony Camardo was elected to the Federation at the Chicago Convention of 1946." 

In 1950 a reporter for the Chicago Tribune attended one of Rev. Camardo's Wednesday Night Development Circles. The meeting began at 7pm, with a gathering consisting of about 30 thirty people, mostly women, and most of them older with a handful of individuals in the 20-30 year age range. 

The meeting began with a short lecture given by Rev. Camardo on the importance of meditation for spiritual development, and also the importance of the influence of the moon on people. After a short break the Mediums prepared for the message service. Four aluminum spirit trumpets and a child's slate were placed on the floor in the center of the circle, and the lights were dimmed. The sitters were asked to place their feet firmly on the floor, with their palms resting upwards. 

The opening prayer was the 23rd Psalm, and Rev. Camardo lead the gathering in raising the vibrations for spirit communication. After about 20 minutes some small noises seemed to be produced from the Trumpet, and Camardo asked all gathered to share any messages that they had received for themselves or for others, and some for friends not in attendance. The meeting ended with coffee and cake. Camardo then invited the reporter to get pizza around the corner after everyone left. 

In 1956 Camardo lead his congregation on a retreat to Chesterfield Spiritualist Camp, where they stayed for a week to attend lectures, classes, and demonstrations of psychic phenomena. Camardo represented Chicago for "Illinois Day" during the Camp. Two notable Puerto Rican Espiritistas (Victor M. Ramos, and Judge Victorio M. Fernandez) made a special 3,000 mile trip to visit Camp Chesterfield and and study with American Spiritualists. Rev. Camardo was chosen to act as host, and helped as an interpreter for the guests. 

In a 1964 article from the Chicago Daily News, a description was given of a marriage counseling session that was conducted by Camardo for two reporters disguised as a couple. The reporters in the article openly admitted that they had not researched what the session would be like, and were disappointed that it was not similar to a psychological counseling as they had expected. Instead Rev. Camardo offered a lesson on mental healing, meditation, and positive affirmations that couples could use to improve and heal their relationship. 

Rev. Anthony Camardo passed away in January 1972 at age 71.