Church Dedications

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

Ilkley, Yorkshire, England (First Church).

At the dedication of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ilkley, on Sunday, January 27, 1947, a brief history of the Christian Science movement in the town was read.

It was stated that about the Year 1901 the good seed of Christian Science healing reached Ilkley, and two invalids were raised from their couches to health and strength. Between tire years 1906 and 1909 several meetings were held in private houses, and in 1909 a small upper room was taken in Sedbergh Buildings, and regular services were held. A Sunday School and library were also started.

The little group of students was recognized as a Christian Science Society by The Mother Church in 1915, and as First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ilkley, in 1920. In 1917, the society had first rented and then purchased the Ilkley Town Council's old offices on The Grove. These were used as church premises until 1925, when the church bought a larger house in Wells Road.

In 1934, the church bought a building site at the corner of Whitton and Wells Road and in 1935 voted to build a church on this site. The building began on March 20, 1939, and the foundation stone was laid on July 13 of that year. In 1940, the first service, a Thanksgiving service, was held in the new church in the Sunday School assembly room. On Jaunary 5, 1941, the first regular services were held in the auditorium.—Ilkley Gazette.

Longview, Texas (First Church).

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Longview, 601 East Methvin Street, was dedicated on Sunday, December 15, 1946.

The First Reader reviewed the organization's growth since 1931, when the first services were informal gatherings of a few Scientists at the Gregg Hotel. A short time later an auditorium was obtained in the Knights of Pythias Flail for the holding of church services. In the same building. Christian Science Sunday School exercises were held, and later a Reading Room was opened. In November, 1939, the members were able to purchase a residence at 704 Young Street, to serve as a church edifice.

The membership soon recognized the need for a larger church home, requisite for the increasing congregation. Consequently the present site of the new church was secured in June, 1944. The first service in the new edifice was held in January, 1945.—Longview Daily News.

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