Air Force Academy

On July 11, 1955, the United States Air Force Academy officially opened its doors. The occasion was marked by colorful and inspiring ceremonies participated in by prominent public and Air Force officials. There was also an impressive show of the air strength of our country.

At present the Academy is established in temporary quarters at Lowry Air Force Base near Denver, Colorado. It will remain there until the completion of its permanent buildings and campus near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Christian Science Minister for the Armed Services who visits Lowry Air Force Base is now making calls at the Air Force Academy to meet the needs of the Christian Scientists registered there. He has found enough Christian Scientists in the Academy to meet informally with them each Sunday. While most of the Scientists are cadets, there are a few on the faculty of the Academy.

Because the Air Force desires to meet the spiritual needs of all its personnel, it is pleased to have our Minister co-operate with its religious program at the Academy.

The Commandant and the Chaplains there have extended courtesies to our Minister, provided a place for his meetings, and given him helpful assistance. Christian Science Activities for the Armed Services appreciates deeply the respect and friendliness shown our Minister by the Academy officials.

The Protestant Chaplain serving at the Air Force Academy asked our Minister to donate books and literature on Christian Science to the chapel library. Armed Services Activities was pleased to make them available through our Minister for the use of the cadets, the faculty, and the other Air Force personnel connected with the Academy.

The Minister has reported with gratitude that he has had few calls from the cadets at the Academy for help because of physical problems. Most of the work he has done for them has been that of giving them metaphysical help occasionally in connection with their studies and with their adjustment from civilian life to the disciplined experience at the Academy.

West Point Academy

In 1928 The Mother Church received a letter from a cadet at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. This letter, which contains an inquiry about forming a Christian Science Organization at the Academy, is the first piece of correspondence in The Mother Church files from that famous institution.

In 1942 The Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church appointed a Christian Science Minister to serve at the Academy. Since that time The Mother Church has continuously maintained a Minister there to meet the needs of the Christian Scientists. These men have done much to assist the cadets to form a Christian Science Organization and to obtain its official recognition by the Academy and The Mother Church. Informal groups of Christian Scientists have held services at West Point for many years. However, it was not until May, 1954, that The Christian Science Board of Directors approved the application of a group there to become a recognized Christian Science Organization. This organization has held formal Christian Science services ever since.

The Christian Science Organization at West Point conducts its meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month; from September through December these meetings are held on the first and third Fridays. The Readers elected by the organization read at the weekly Sunday services also. The Christian Science Minister teaches a Sunday School class of cadets under twenty years of age and arranges for the children of faculty members and military personnel who are stationed at West Point to attend Sunday School.

Through our Minister, Armed Services Activities has provided the Academy with books and literature on Christian Science which are available for the use of all those at the Academy. The Minister maintains a close relationship with the Scientists at West Point.

In September, 1955, the organization had a reception and invited an outside speaker. Their choice was a retired Army general, who is a member of The Mother Church. The organization members derived much inspiration from the meeting.

In November, 1955, the organization held its first Christian Science lecture. It was well attended and proved a great blessing.

To read a list of the healings that have resulted from the work of the Ministers at West Point is very impressive. In addition to helping the cadets in their adjustment to military life, the Ministers have healed mumps, pneumonia, infected finger, migraine headaches, stomach disorders, kidney infection, viral hepatitis, and other common ailments.