Items of Interest July 30, 1932 Issue

Items of Interest

Some correspondents have inquired in regard to the circumstances leading up to the building of the present Publishing House bounded by Falmouth, St. Paul, and Norway Streets, and an alley between the building and the houses and shops fronting Massachusetts Avenue. From the outset the work of The Christian Science Publishing Society was carried on in rented quarters until, at the time of building the original Mother Church a house was purchased near by at 95 Falmouth Street. Not long after, a second house was purchased adjacent to that and annexed to it. These served The Christian Science Publishing Society until 1903, when, the Extension to The Mother Church having been decided upon and the houses having to be razed, rented quarters were again obtained for the Publishing Society at 250 Huntington Avenue in a large three-story dwelling house, to which later was annexed the adjoining dwelling house.

In February, 1907, The Christian Science Board of Directors wrote as follows to Mrs. Eddy: "The rapidly increasing business of The Christian Science Publishing Society and of the publishing and sale of your works has reached such a point that there is need for additional room, and the Directors have decided, with your approval, to erect a building on the land on Falmouth and St. Paul Sts., which is now the property of the Church." The Directors also informed Mrs. Eddy that they had requested an architect, Mr. S. S. Beman of Chicago, to make some preliminary studies of the land and present some ideas for a building which could be finished by the date at which the lease of the premises then occupied by the Publishing Society expired, namely, October, 1908. The Directors pointed out to Mrs. Eddy that, for the present needs of the Publishing Society, it would not be necessary to occupy the extra lot of land the church owned on St. Paul Street, but that the building would be so constructed as to allow of extension when the business increased. The letter concluded, "and the Directors think that this money should be collected from the field, just as the money for building The Mother Church was collected. The Directors will be glad to have your counsel and advice on this important matter." Mrs. Eddy approved.

In May the Directors wrote her that preparations for demolishing the buildings on the site had been made and the bonds required by the city obtained, and they asked whether to proceed or whether Mrs. Eddy saw a reason to defer operations. In reply she requested the Directors to defer building the new Publishing House until after the hearing of the case ("Next Friends") pending in the Superior Court in Concord, New Hampshire. On October 1, 1907, the Directors wrote Mrs. Eddy: "Now that the 'next friends' ' suit has been dismissed,—a fact upon which the Directors tender you their congratulations,—it is thought advisable to again bring to your attention the question of building a publishing house. The lease of the building at 250 Huntington Ave., now occupied as a publishing house, expires in a year from to-day, and this leaves no more than the time that will be necessary to build a suitable building. The Church, as you know, owns the property on Falmouth, St. Paul and Norway Streets opposite The Mother Church, and it is proposed to build the new publishing house on this property. The plans have been drawn by Mr. Beman, and work can proceed whenever you say the word, provided you approve of this undertaking. The thought of the Directors is to appeal to the field for contributions to a building fund for this purpose. Will you kindly give the Directors the benefit of your advice?" To this letter Mrs. Eddy replied, "I approve. Begin the work immediately."

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