Item of Interest August 13, 1932 Issue

Item of Interest

In the Sentinel of July 30 the story was told of beginning to build the present Publishing House. About October 1, 1907, Mrs. Eddy had authorized the Directors to proceed at once to take steps toward the erection of a suitable Publishing House, and a notice was published in the Christian Science Sentinel of October 12, 1907, announcing the project and inviting contributions from Christian Scientists throughout the world, to be sent individually or through their branch churches and societies, to the Treasurer, Stephen A. Chase.

The Directors proceeded at once to let the contract for demolishing the buildings on the site, the Treasurer of the Building Fund added to his force and facilities for handling the fund, and in November the architect contracted for the concrete piers, foundations, masonry, granite work, cut stone, structural steel, and fireproofing. The next month it was decided to use Bedford (Indiana) limestone instead of face brick and granite, in order that the Publishing House might have the same outer finish as the Church Extension. That the work proceeded rapidly is shown by the fact that in January, 1908, the architect contracted for plastering, roofing, carpentry, painting, and glazing, and the next month for plumbing, steam heating, and ornamental iron work. By May the architect was purchasing wall safes and approving bills for the installation of the lighting system, electric bell system, et cetera.

One of Mrs. Eddy's secretaries wrote to the Chairman of the Board of Directors during the middle of this month that Mrs. Eddy understood that as yet there had not been received enough money to build the new Publishing House and she wished to know at an early date the amount needed to complete the structure, thus indicating her desire that the structure be paid for when finished. It was reported that less than one half of the needed amount had been received; but between May 13, 1908, when the inquiry was made, and early in the following August, the amount necessary to complete the building had been received; and the Sentinel of August 8 notified the Field to send no more money for the purpose.

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