Church Dedications

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

Midland Daily News

MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

(First Church).

A memorable day will be May 18, 1958, when First Church of Christ, Scientist, Midland, Michigan, will be dedicated. . . .

In November, 1930, several students of Christian Science met at the home of one student to discuss holding regular church services.

This meeting resulted in the holding of weekly services in their individual homes. . . .

The need for regular and adequate quarters and also a desire to have a Christian Science Society in Midland led to the forming of a [society and to the renting of] the lodge room in the former Knights of Pythias' Temple (now the City Hall) . . . for Sunday morning services. The first service was held there July 5, 1931.

By July 29, 1931, . . . recognition as Christian Science Society, Midland, had been [granted by The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts]. . . .

Soon there was a need for a larger house of worship. The property at 215 West Buttles was purchased, and the house was converted into a church edifice. The first service was held Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934. With the aid from the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy, the dedication service was held Sunday, June 4, 1939. During this period Sunday School services and Wednesday evening testimony meetings were inaugurated.

Again plans were in the making as property was purchased . . . in April, 1951. The site for the present-day structure is on East Street, Andrews Street and Koerner Court. [The membership voted] to build a separate church and Sunday School on the ground floor. . . .

In May, 1953, the old church edifice was sold, and services were held in the Midland Little Theatre Building while the new church was under construction.

The first service was held in the new church edifice on December 20, 1953. . . . A letter was read to the congregation from The Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church, which authorized the [society's change of title] to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Midland, Michigan.

The Reading Room was moved from the church edifice to its present downtown address in July, 1956. . . . In 1957, the vacant lot adjoining the church on the west was purchased for future use.

Midland Daily News

May 1, 1958

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