Article August 26, 1922 Issue

Among the Churches

Current Notes

St. Louis, Mo. (Report, in part, of the Associated Building Fund Committee of Christian Science Churches in St. Louis, and St. Louis County).—Mrs. Eddy, early in her ministry, saw the need of church organization. In the Manual of The Mother Church (p. 17) we read, "At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 19, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." After many trials, The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was erected in Boston, Massachusetts, during the year 1894, and dedicated Sunday, January 6, 1895. Ten years later the Extension was added. This church edifice, like the Temple of Solomon, is known all over the world for its beauty, grace, and stability. Mrs. Eddy, like Solomon, prayed for wisdom and guidance; for well she knew, "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." She states in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 162), "Our proper reason for church edifices is, that in them Christians may worship God,—not that Christians may worship church edifices!"

Since the building of The Mother Church, hundreds of Christian Science churches have been built all over the world. First Church of Christ, Scientist, in St. Louis was dedicated November 10, 1895. It had a seating capacity of about four hundred. Soon this church outgrew its quarters.... The membership and congregation continued to grow, and from time to time other churches were organized. In March, 1919, a truly Christian motive actuated the Christian Science churches in St. Louis and St. Louis County, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois, to organize the Peace Dedication Committee for the purpose of raising a sufficient sum to lift the remaining debt on the churches then built in this field. As a result of the splendid unity of thought and purpose more than the necessary amount was raised, and Second and Third Churches of Christ, Scientist, in St. Louis and First Church of Christ, Scientist, East St. Louis, Illinois, were dedicated within the year.... The committee, after consulting with the local church building committees, estimated the amount needed to complete other necessary edifices. Of this amount the beneficiary churches are first required to raise ten per cent of the estimated building cost before they are eligible to assistance from the contributing churches....

Friends, your committee has gone into this matter prayerfully. It is deeply impressed with the importance of this work. The need that has been outlined is not for the purpose of showing the world what beautiful churches Christian Scientists can build, but for the purpose of taking care of the needs in the various localities so that the sick and sinning may come and be healed, the sorrowing comforted, and that children may be taught the true concept of God.

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