STRATFORD, ONTARIO CANADA (First Church)

The Beacon Herald
June 7, 1971

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stratford, will dedicate its edifice at 308 Erie Street, in services to be held Sunday morning and afternoon.

In the early 1920's, the seed of Christian Science was sown in Stratford by four students of [this] Science of Mind-healing. They met informally for a time before applying to The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, for group recognition and its privileges.

As the members of the group increased, it was necessary to find larger quarters. A second floor location at 35 Market Place in the business area of Stratford was chosen, and proceedings were started to form a society. This was granted by The Mother Church in 1927. A Reading Room was opened to the public where interested people studied the Bible, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and periodicals from The Christian Science Publishing Society. Sunday School was started in the 1930's.

The membership continued to grow ... and ... a building committee was formed in 1950 and authority given to this committee by the membership to proceed with the necessary preliminary arrangements to build a church. In October, 1955, the building was completed, free of debt.... [All Christian Science churches must be free of debt before they are dedicated.]

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS (First Church)

Northwest Arkansas Times
April 10, 1971

Members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Fayetteville, will dedicate their new church edifice located at 1755 Rolling Hills Drive on Easter Sunday, April 11. A morning service will be held at 11 o'clock and an afternoon service at 3 o'clock.

This church conforms to the practice and rule in the Christian Science church that a church edifice shall not be dedicated until fully paid for.

For many years, members held Christian Science services in rented locations before building at the corner of Forrest and Lafayette in 1936. This building was dedicated in 1943.

By 1968, it was apparent this building was no longer adequate, and property was purchased at the present location in the Oak Manor addition. In April of 1970, ground was broken for the construction of the new structure, and on October 11, the first service was held in the new edifice.

CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ENGLAND (First Church)

Gloucestershire Echo
April 8, 1971

The dedication of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cheltenham, at the morning, afternoon, and evening services on Sunday, took place just two years and one month after the first service was held in the new edifice.

In accordance with the rules of this denomination, all indebtedness has been cleared. The following historical notes were read at each of the three services.

The history of Christian Science in Cheltenham goes back to the year 1905 when, as the result of healings experienced through the teachings of Christian Science, a few people met to read the Bible Lessons.

The first service was held at a private house in Montpellier-terrace on September 27, 1907. Several moves were made until in July, 1909, the group was organised as Christian Science Society, Cheltenham. The services were held in a room rented at No. 3, Cambray, where a Reading Room was also opened.

In 1911, the first Christian Science lecture in Cheltenham was given at the Town Hall, and in 1912, a Sunday School was started.

After some years of steady growth, the society was recognised in 1923 as a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Having again outgrown its accommodation, the society purchased a house in Bayshill-road, and a large room there was extended as an auditorium for the services.

By 1958, the members decided that it was no longer a wise proposition to carry out further repairs to the building. A decision was taken by the members to build a new edifice on the same site. A building committee was appointed, an architect engaged, plans drawn up and approved.

The foundation stone of the present building was laid on December 2, 1967.

While the building was being erected, the congregation of the Bayshill Unitarian Church allowed the congregation of this church to hold services in the Unitarian Church, thus making it possible for all services to continue during building operations.

The new church building, which includes a main church auditorium, Sunday School, nursery, and all necessary offices, was completed in February, 1969, and the first service held on Sunday, March 2, 1969.