Article February 11, 1911 Issue

AMONG THE CHURCHES

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Lynde street, was dedicated yesterday [Jan. 1] with impressive services. The church was crowded to the doors. George P. Bonney, First Reader of the local society, gave an historical sketch of the church, in which he said in part,—

The first Christian Science service in Salem was held in Charles F. Whitney's studio, March 12, 1896, eleven persons being present. The First Reader was Mrs. Sarah W. Shepard, and the Second Reader was Miss M. Frances Allen. These two ladies were the pioneers of the work in Salem. It is interesting to know that to these ladies came the idea of starting a church in Salem without their having talked to one another about it, and while they were in different localities from one another, this exemplifying the working of the one divine Mind, which in all ages and in every clime speaks to the listening ear of man. The interest steadily increased, and Sept. 25, 1898, we removed to the First Unitarian Church chapel on Lynde street, the attendance on that day being thirty-one.

The inauguration of the Wednesday evening meetings as well as the establishment of our Sunday services in the quiet and beautiful quarters at the chapel were occasions of great rejoicing and thanksgiving in our little band. The church was regularly incorporated Nov. 29, 1898, with seven charter members. The first lecture on Christian Science under the auspices of this church was delivered Tuesday evening, April 25, 1899. A most notable case of instantaneous healing from depraved appetite was one of the many blessings of that occasion. Our first reading-room was opened Monday, Jan. 22, 1900. June 7, 1901, we began to raise a building fund. During this past year, 1910, blessings have fallen thick and fast upon us, for in June our entire church debt was liquidated through the loving-kindness of one of our church attendants, and in July a fine pipe-organ was presented to us by the same party and by another member of the family.

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