Article March 24, 1951 ISSUE

Church Dedications

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

The Advocate

Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia (First Church).

The dedication of first Church of Christ, Scientist, Hornsby, took place on Sunday, November 19, 1950. This was a joyous occasion for the members, as Churches of Christ, Scientist, are not dedicated until they are entirely free from financial obligations. The church is one of the loveliest buildings in the district and stands as a tribute to the love and consecration of its members.

In addition to the regular morning and evening services, two extra services were held in the afternoon, and the church auditorium was filled to capacity. The First Reader read the dedicatory address, from which we take the following:

"The first services in Hornsby grew out of an understanding, based on experience, of the pressing need to bring the Christian Science service nearer the homes of those who, on account of distance and inconvenient train service, had been unable to attend regularly.

"The idea uppermost in thought was to supply an existing need, and not to take from the membership of another branch church. With this end in view it was decided to act without delay, knowing that those who were longing for a church in their midst would be awake to its appearing.

"A suitable room, adjoining Hornsby Station, was obtained without difficulty, and on Sunday morning, December 3, 1933. the first service was held, This was a joyous occasion and cause for a deep sense of gratitude.

"The congregation grew steadily until it was realized that provision should be made for the children b opening a Sunday School, and on and alter January 4, 1934. the services and Sunday School were held in the Masonic Hall. The next progressive step was to arrange for testimony meetings to take place on the first Wednesday of each month. the first of these meetings being fixed for February 7, 1934.

"Once the church services were being held in better premises, the Sunday School established, and Wednesday meetings provided for. the growth, and activity plainly called for proper organization. A constitution and by-laws in accordance with the requirements of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy were drawn up by the first board, and a meeting was called for January 16, 1934, to form a provisional membership, to elect officers, and to consider the adoption of the bylaws. The first temporary board then retired to make way for a correctly organized society, and this society was recognized by The Christian Science Board of Directors in November, 1934.

"In February, 1936, change of title to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Hornsby, New South Wales, as granted.

"In 1937 a block of land at the corner of Dural and Frederick Streets was purchased, plans for a church edifice containing an auditorium Sunday School, Reading Room, and necessary church offices were drawn and approved. The cornerstone was laid at a simple service, with only a few officers of the church present, on February 21, 1938, and on Sunday, June 6, with happy and grateful acknowledgment of the guidance of God, of the example of Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, and of the work of Mary Baker Eddy, the first services were held in the completed edifice."

The Advocate

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