Article February 14, 1948 Issue

THE STORY OF THE ORIGINAL MOTHER CHURCH

[Of Special Interest to Children]

RUTH C. EISEMAN

Have you ever looked at the cover of your Christian Science Hymnal? Have you seen the picture there of the pointed church steeple? That is the steeple of the Original Mother Church Edifice in Boston. Then have you looked at the round dome next to it? That belongs to the big church which was built when the Original Edifice was no longer big enough to hold all the people who wanted to come to the services. It is called the Extension of The Mother Church. And now maybe you would like to hear the story of how the Original Mother Church was built.

Mary Baker Eddy had written "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and there were already many Christian Scientists, but they had no church building of their own in Boston. They met first in one hall and then in another.

So land was bought, almost the shape of a big triangle, plans were made, and in due course the little church was started. We call it the little church, because the big one, which came a few years later, is so much bigger. But, just think, the original building of The Mother Church holds about a thousand people! It has a Sunday School room, too, and a room planned specially for Mrs. Eddy, called "Mother's Room." Some of the Christian Science Sunday School children, who were called "Busy Bees," saved pennies or earned money so that they could build and furnish Mrs. Eddy's Room. This room has been closed for many years now. Mrs. Eddy was very grateful for the love of these children. Later she had some money set aside for them which they were to receive when they grew up. (See The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 216.)

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