Note: New Evidence: Neville Goddard Was Teaching in Rosicrucian Circles Before Abdullah (1931)

A 1931 issue of The Rosicrucian Fellowship Magazine (that’s Max Heindel’s group the esoteric Christian one, NOT AMORC or Clymer). In it, Neville is listed as a guest lecturer at their Cleveland center, described as a “visiting speaker from New York.” They praise his “deep knowledge” and “helpful affection for his fellow humans.” This proves he was already publicly teaching spiritual ideas …7 years earlier than the ‘official’ story about his 1938 Steinway Hall debut.

Over the years, scattered clippings, ads, and transcripts have given us a patchwork view of Neville Goddard’s speaking life. But when you lay them out chronologically, a pattern emerges not just of where he spoke, but of how his career and philosophy shifted over four decades. The table below is a venue record to date. Will be updated often.

This was the second Steinway Hall location, built in 1925. While it contained a larger recital hall seating 240, it also had smaller, insulated rental music studios on the fourth and fifth floors. A space seating about 70 people would fit within this description of a smaller studio or music room. The original Steinway Hall on 14th Street had closed in 1925.

1938 – Steinway Hall, New York
Earliest confirmed independent booking after meeting Abdullah. Self-produced and self-promoted. Marks the start of his public lecture work.

Old Actor’s Chapel (St. Malachy’s, West 49th Street, New York)

Early 1940s – Old Actor’s Church (likely St. Malachy’s, West 49th Street, New York)
Maintained a three-night-a-week schedule. Israel Regardie notes this as a steady engagement rather than a guest appearance.

Union Methodist Episcopal Church
229 West 48th Street, West of Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10036

1943 – Union Methodist Episcopal Church, New York
Sunday evening lectures at 8 p.m., admission 25 cents. A small community church, suggesting a consistent and accessible local audience.

Town Hall, New York

Mid-1940s – Town Hall, New York
Transition to a central Manhattan venue with a cultural reputation. Indicates an increase in public profile and audience size.

Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles

1948 –
First documented California appearance. A prominent venue in the city’s lecture and performance circuit.

1948 – Absolute Science Church, San Francisco
Established connection with the San Francisco New Thought community.

1948 – International New Thought Alliance Convention, Los Angeles
Shared billing with Dr. Frederick Bailes. Demonstrates integration into national metaphysical networks.

1948–1964 – San Francisco Series

Recurring engagements at Scottish Rite Auditorium, Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Palace Hotel, and Women’s City Club. Venues suggest Masonic or private club affiliations.

1953–1954 –

Fox-Wilshire Theatre

Fox-Wilshire Theatre, Los Angeles
Served as a substitute for Dr. Frederick Bailes during his vacation. A sign of professional trust and shared audience.

Ritz Theater

1957–1971 – Club and Small Theater Venues
Includes Ebell Club, Women’s University Club, Ritz Theater. Audience base shifts toward membership groups and repeat attendees.

Embassy

1959 – San Francisco and Los Angeles
Lectures immediately following Neville’s personal experience of “The Promise.” Content emphasis moves from manifestation techniques to fulfillment and prophecy.

Women’s University Club

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood

1967-1968 – Marines’ Memorial Club – San Francisco Lectures (1968)

The Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel is a historic Beaux-Arts style landmark at 609 Sutter Street (at Mason) in San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. See all lectures from 1968.

Scottish Rite Auditorium

Phase 1 — New York Growth (c. 1931–mid-1940s)

Phase 2 — West Coast Expansion (1948–mid-1950s)

Phase 3 — Clubs & Loyalist Phase (mid-1950s–1971)

International New Thought Alliance Convention