Church Dedications

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

Bognor Regis, Sussex, England (First Church).

Hundreds of men, women and children on Sunday dedicated their own church—the new edifice of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Bognor Regis, Sussex, in Sudley Road.... Visitors from London and Godalming were in the congregations. They heard the church's First Reader read a specially composed message [during the three services]:

"Christian Science services first began in Bognor Regis about the year 1920, when a few friends met to read the Lesson-Sermons in a private house in London Road, where the Odeon Cinema now stands. The little group grew, and [by] 1925 regular services were held in the practice rooms of the Bognor School of Music at 1, Spencer Street. By 1929 the time had come to apply to The Mother Church for recognition as a Christian Science Society, and early in 1930 the society was recognized as a branch of The Mother Church.

"With the desire to spread the knowledge of Christian Science, the society began to look for Reading Room accommodation. In May, 1931, a large room over several shops in Argyle Circus was rented which, when converted, was suitable for use as a church and Reading Room.... Next came the idea that a ground-floor Reading Room would be more efficacious in bringing Christian Science before the public. Prayerful work having been done about this need, the opportunity came to rent one of the shops under the Church Hall.

"The society's next orderly step was application to The Mother Church for recognition as a church, and this was granted on June 27, 1952. From that time the church went ahead rapidly. In 1954 a building site in Sudley Road was purchased, and within two years the foundations of the present church edifice were laid.... The building was completed in less than a year, and the first services in it were held on June 23, 1957."

The message referred to the purchase by a friend, in September of that year, of a plot of land next door for use as a car park. The generosity of friends and members, and a grant from the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy, enabled the Bognor Regis church to be ... able to hold the dedication services.—The Post (December 10, 1960).

Clearfield, Pennsylvania (Society).

Dedication Day will be marked by Christian Science Society, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, May 7, at 3.00 p.m.

The church, located at 413 West Front Street, occupies the building which once housed the Third Ward Hose Company. This building was completely remodeled during the past several years and marked the first time in the society's history that it had its own church in which to [hold services].

About thirty-five years ago a small group held a Christian Science service in a home at Clearfield. Very soon, more persons became interested in Christian Science and it was necessary to rent a room for the services. [The group was recognized as a branch of The Mother Church in December, 1927.] Rooms were rented at different places as the group grew in numbers. The last [meeting] place was on the second floor of The County National Bank Building. The first service in the newly remodeled building was held on Easter Sunday, 1959.

Members and friends are invited to attend the dedication service on May 7.

The membership expresses appreciation to all those who ... gave gifts, prayers, and unselfed love through these years to bring us to this day. "We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance received from the Selina C. Cornish Fund, a grant from the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy, and the bequest from the Abraham K. Wright Estate, which have made this dedication possible."—The Clearfield Progress (May 5, 1961).

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