Article November 24, 1951 ISSUE

Church Dedications

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

Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa (First Church).

A dedication service was held at First Church of Christ, Scientist, Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday, August 5, 1951, when local Christian Scientists gathered to mark another step of progress.

A group of Christian Scientists first held services here in May, 1909, in the home of one of its members. These services were continued, and as the congregations grew larger, premises were secured at Glen Lyn College Hall in Long-market Street. In 1911 a Reading Room was opened.

In 1913 Christian Science Society, Pietermaritzburg, was formally recognized by the Board of Directors of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Natal Witness

Livermore, California (Society).

Christian Science Society, Livermore, dedicated its new church edifice on Third and N Streets at morning and afternoon services on Sunday, August 5, 1951. The following history was read by the First Reader:

In 1923 a group of Christian Scientists met together to read the Lesson-Sermon, as given in the Christian Science Quarterly. Others interested were invited to attend, and in April, 1925, it was decided to hold regular services. Rooms were rented in the Library Building. A Sunday School was started, and Wednesday evening testimony meetings were held according to the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy.

On January 10, 1931, The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts, recognized this group as Christian Science Society, Livermore.

Services were held at the Library Building until April 1, 1951, when the new church building at Third and N Streets was ready for occupancy.—The Livermore Herald.

Union City, New Jersey (First Church).

First Church of Christ, Scientist, 414 Nineteenth Street, Union City, was dedicated with special services in the morning and afternoon of Sunday, September 9, 1951.

The Christian Science movement in this city had its beginning in 1918 when a group of Christian Scientists met in a private home for the purpose of organizing a Christian Science Society in the town of West Hoboken, since consolidated into what is now known as Union City. Later, services were held in a former post office at Monastery Street and New York Avenue, West Hoboken. By 1920, the attendance growth and lack of suitable accommodations necessitated building a church edifice, which was completed in August, 1920, at its present location.

The church was incorporated in 1922 under the New Jersey laws as First Church of Christ, Scientist, West Hoboken. In 1925 it was incorporated as First Church of Christ, Scientist, Union City.

Complete renovations were made and a new heating system was installed in November, 1949.

Jersey Observer

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