Article December 4, 1954 Issue

[Note: Excerpts from a report submitted to the Reading Room Division by the executive board of a branch church.]

Furthering Church Expansion

South Pasadena, California

Several months before the lease on our ground-floor Christian Science Reading Room was to expire, the executive hoard of the church asked the Reading Room committee to give consideration to moving to a more centrally located building. After careful investigation, the committee recommended that no change be made. Later it was learned that our rent would be increased. As the center of business activity was moving north and west, the committee was again asked to make a thorough study of all suitable vacancies. The only vacancy which seemed to meet our requirements was in an old building. An architect (a church member) was asked to submit recommendations for remodeling. It was found that the necessary changes would be so extensive that the cost would be prohibitive.

Just across the street from this building a new one was being erected. The committee members were under the impression that all space in it had been leased in advance. However, in consulting the same architect the committee learned that he was also the architect for the new building, that ground-floor space was still available, and that he felt the owner would welcome negotiations with us. Since the building was in the early stages of construction, the quarters which our Reading Room would occupy could be made to conform to its special requirements. These findings were given to the board. Its members immediately conferred with the owner, who said that he would be most happy to have our Reading Room in his building.

Then it was learned that the rent would be more than twice as much as the increased rent where we were. After much consecrated work by the board and the committee, who took into consideration the better location, the larger quarters, and other advantages, it was decided to present all of this information to the membership, with the recommendation that this space be leased. At first there was some opposition, mainly because of the greatly increased rent. Good discussion was followed by a unanimous vote in favor of moving to the new building. Funds thought to be sufficient were approved. The membership was not in favor of borrowing, and stipulated that the move be financed on a "pay-as-you-go" basis. Needless to say, the necessary funds were always available.

Members demonstrated a unity of purpose in the unfoldment which followed. This was undoubtedly the result of consecrated effort on the part of each to obey the commands in Proverbs (3:5, 6): "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

After an interior decorator had been engaged, it was found that she and her husband, who was a fine cabinetmaker, had together decorated and furnished several Christian Science Reading Rooms.

As the work progressed it became evident that new study-room furnishings were needed. The members lovingly granted the request for additional funds.

The committee worked earnestly and prayerfully to behold the unfolding of God's holy purpose and to know that "God is working His purpose out" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 82). There was much joy in this work, and complete harmony was manifest among the members at all times. Great inspiration was gained from reading "The Mother Church" by Joseph Armstrong. The Bible verses at the beginning of each chapter were used as a basis for much of the committee's work, and the answers to many problems were found therein.

The building itself is contemporary in design and is very beautiful. It is on a busy corner just across the street from the City Hall and one short block from the center of the shopping district. Here we have placed two directional signs pointing to our Reading Room. The name "Christian Science Reading Room" is lettered across the large front window; it also appears in the illuminated sign above the marquee and on one side of the building where we have two additional display windows.

The board, the committee, and the membership worked together with love and with oneness of purpose, and the unfolding, step by step, was beautiful, complete, and harmonious. It is felt by all that this is but the first step resulting from a larger sense of church expansion. Now we are looking forward to a new Sunday School building, parking facilities, and the remodeling of the church, keeping always in thought that "God is working His purpose out."

The whole community has, we feel, been blessed by our taking this forward step, and Christian Science has taken on added importance and dignity in the eyes of many, for strangers often stop to admire the Reading Room and to say that they are happy for us. Business people in the vicinity have been most loving in their expressions of admiration for our beautiful room and its splendid location.

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December 4, 1954
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