Church Dedications

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

Stillwater Daily News-Press

Stillwater, Oklahoma (First Church).

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stillwater, had its beginning in 1892, when five pioneer Christian Scientists moved to Payne County, Oklahoma Territory, from Nebraska, where they had been taught by the same Christian Science teacher.

They settled near Stillwater, where they continued their study of Christian Science and were able to interest and help others. In 1893 they began meeting in a home to read the Lesson-Sermons from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Instruction for the children was begun at this time, and two years later the Sunday School was formally organized.

By 1894 members of sixteen families were studying Christian Science, and a meeting was held to plan toward building, as no public hall or building was available for services. At this meeting the group offered what they had— labor, materials such as lumber, and money to the amount of $332.50. After the purchase of the lot for fifty dollars, arrangements were made to haul the lumber from Perry, as Stillwater had no railroad at that time.

The foundation of the new church was laid by a man who had been healed of a malignant disease; in fact, all the labor on the building was done by these early members, who wished to show their gratitude for the healings they had experienced through Christian Science. The men made the pews, and the women and children took turns sandpapering the rough wood to a smooth surface. All was finished free from debt, and the first service was one of rejoicing.

On June 25, 1895, the church was dedicated, and immediately thereafter First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory, was organized as a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.

This was the first Christian Science church edifice in Oklahoma and the third in the United States.

On August 19, 1896, a charter was granted to the church by the Oklahoma territorial government. The first Christian Science lecture in Stillwater was given on June 19, 1899. Soon afterward a free Christian Science Reading Room was opened in a downtown building.

This first church building served for thirty years; but by 1915 the membership had increased, and a building fund for a larger edifice was established. During the next twelve years two adjoining lots were purchased. The first building was moved to one side of the lots to be used until the completion of the new one. In November, 1927, work was begun on a new structure of colonial design. The cornerstone was laid on the morning of February 8, 1928. The first service in the new church was held on the Wednesday evening preceding Thanksgiving Day of that year. February 3, 1946, marked the dedication of the church.

Stillwater Daily News-Press

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