Church Dedications

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

Orlando, Florida First (Church).

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Orlando, at Rosalind Avenue and Wall Street, was dedicated on November 24, 1946, with simple but impressive services, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. The First Reader read a brief history of the growth of the church in Orlando as part of the dedicatory service.

Interest in Christian Science started in Orlando in 1911, when a few students gathered at a private home on Sunday mornings to read the Lesson-Sermon. In January, 1914, a society was organized.

From 1917 through 1920, services were held in the Unitarian Church. Shortly thereafter the society purchased a lot on the corner of Rosalind Avenue and Wall Street.

In 1920 the society was incorporated as a church under the laws of Florida. At this time a small brick church was built. Later, to accommodate the increasing attendance of winter visitors, plans for a larger church were drawn.

The cornerstone was laid on July 8, 1926. The first services in the main auditorium were held on Thanksgiving Day in 1927. The Estey organ with its chimes was a gift of the Sunday School.

Sentinel

Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England (Society).

Dedication services were held on Sunday, November 17, 1946, in the edifice of Christian Science Society, Kidderminster, on Cobden Street.

Christian Science services were first held in Kidderminster at the home of a present member of the society in the summer of 1929.

For a time the services were informal, but as interest began to spread, with a welcome extended to friends, the services were conducted in conformity with the Manual of The Mother Church. Increasing attendance led to the opening of a public room on Castle Road in August, 1931, and in a short time formal application was made to The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts, for recognition as a branch society, which was granted in April, 1933.

With an early desire to build a local church edifice, a building fund was started in 1929, and in 1934 a building committee was appointed to find a suitable site. After various investigations the present site was purchased in December, 1936.

Building operations commenced in the summer of 1937 and on October 7, 1937, the cornerstone was laid. The edifice was completed in March, 1938, and on Sunday, April 3, 1938, the first services were held.

Kidderminster Times

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