Article January 1, 1944 ISSUE

Church Dedications

Note: Christian Science churches are dedicated only when free from debt.

Los Angeles, California (Twenty-third Church).—Twenty-third Church of Christ, Scientist. Los Angeles, dedicated its church building on Sunday, August 22, 1943. Two services were held, at which the First Reader read a brief historical sketch of the church, which follows in part:

"In 1925 a Christian Science Society was organized in the district known as Green Meadows, and held its first service on Sunday, September 15, in a theater building at One Hundred and Eleventh and Main Streets. Early in 1926 the members purchased lots on One Hundred and Twelfth Street and erected a building where services were held and a Reading Room was opened. In 1926 the society became Twenty-third Church of Christ, Scientist, Los Angeles.

"Increasing attendance necessitated a building with larger seating capacity, so the lot on which the present edifice stands was purchased in 1929. The cornerstone of the present church was laid on October 9, 1930, and the first service in the new edifice was held on Sunday, November 23, 1930."— Southwest Topics Wave.

Moline, Illinois (First Church).—First Church of Christ, Scientist, Moline, dedicated its church edifice at services held in the morning and afternoon on Sunday, July 11, 1943. A history of the church was read, and follows, in part:

"Early students of Christian Science in Moline attended services in Davenport until a Christian Science church was organized in Rock Island. We feel deeply grateful that in April, 1898, members of the Rock Island church came to Moline and conducted Friday evening testimony meetings in the art gallery on Sixteenth Street.

"On June 8, 1898, at the request of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, all Christian Science testimony meetings were changed to Wednesday evening. Since the art gallery was not available on that evening, arrangements were made to hold services in the Unitarian church at the corner of Sixteenth Street and Sixth Avenue. These services were continued until a Christian Science Society was formed on November 30, 1901. The first Sunday service in Moline was held on December 8.

"On Thursday, January 8, 1903, charter members organized and incorporated First Church of Christ, Scientist, Moline, Illinois, as a branch of The Mother Church.

"Services later were held in Masonic Hall on Third Avenue; in Kerns Hall, Sixth Avenue and Fifteenth Street; then in the Unitarian church for many years. When this church was no longer available, the church moved to Turner Hall, corner of Sixth Avenue and Fourteenth Street, and remained there until 1922, when the necessity for building a church edifice became apparent. Excavation was started on August 14, 1922, for the present edifice. The cornerstone was laid early on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1922.

"Services were held in the basement until the completion of the auditorium late in the year 1923.

"The members of this church gratefully acknowledge receipt of the final payment on our indebtedness from the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy."— Dispatch.

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