Church Dedications

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

Surrey Mirror and County Post

Oxted, Surrey, England (Society).

Christian Science Society, Oxted, Surrey, dedicated its newly built church in Church-lane, Oxted, on Sunday when large congregations, including many visitors, attended the morning and afternoon services.

To mark the occasion of the dedication, the First Reader read a short historical sketch outlining the growth of the Christian Science movement in Oxted, which led to the building of the church.

The historical sketch stated that after the First World War, a family living in Tatsfield became interested in Christian Science as a result of the healing of one of their number of neurasthenia following war service. Some time after this a group was formed, and from October, 1933, regular services were held at Wildwood, Tatsfield. A Sunday School was started...,and testimony meetings were held once a quarter.

In 1936 arrangements were made to hold services at the Men's Club at Westerham, and when this hall was commandeered for Army purposes at the end of August, 1939, a further move was made to the business premises of one of the members in the old village of Oxted. Here services were held every Sunday throughout the Second World War.

The group was officially recognised in February, 1941, by The Christian Science Board of Directors as Christian Science Society, Oxted, branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1942 a Reading Room was opened in the old village and in 1949 was moved to Raleigh Chambers, Oxted. In December, 1950, the society moved to the Assembly Room at the Council Offices, Oxted, and the Sunday School was held at the Co-operative hall.

A building fund had been opened in January, 1941, and the land on which the church now stands was purchased in March, 1951. Building was begun in October, 1956, and the first service was held in the new edifice on July 21, 1957.

The society thanks its many friends, the Selina C. Cornish Fund, and the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy for their generous gifts, interest, and help in making this dedication possible.

Surrey Mirror and County Post October 24, 1958

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