Bay City Daily Times
July 20, 1939

Scientist Church Built
After Long Struggle
___________

Members of Faith Expanded Years of Effort
to Get Building, Present Membership
and Organization

    Building on their hopes and personal and group sacrifice, the members of the First Church
Christ, Scientist, have achieved not only a splendid building, but the knowledge that they could
meet all future obstacles and overcome them because they had done so in the past.   The members
of the church pride themselves on simplicity, but the history of their church is not without many
complications.  There was a steady and rapid growth it is pointed out, but time and again the
history shows the members were faced with serious difficulties.   Of these the most outstanding
was assuming a debt of $24,000 to build the present church.  Perhaps the most commendable
thing to be said of such courage is "In 15 years the structure was paid for."
    First Church of Christ, Scientist has attained its present flourishing place as a recognized
branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts,
by steady growth.
    In the Fall of 1905, a handful of students of Christian Science met in the home of one of
their number to hold meetings and read the lesson-sermon as outlined in the Christian Science
quarterly.
    In the Spring of 1906, the little group decided to take a room in the Cranage block, and
there on April 12, the church was organized.  Here their numbers increased and since the
quarters were three flights up, it seemed desirable to find a more convenient place to meet.
In the fall of 1906 the organization moved to a room in the building facing Battery Park.
    It was here that the Reading Room was established and opened for public use.  This
location, however, did not prove satisfactory, and after staying through the winter, another
move was made to the Ridotto building in the spring of 1907.  Here marked growth took
place, every chair being filled and soon this room was outgrown.   The first Christian
Science lecture to be given by the church was delivered at that time.
    After a year had passed it became necessary to find larger quarters and the church then
moved to the second floor of the Root building, where it remained for four years, steadily
growing in numbers.  Many students had heretofore been attending services in Saginaw,
where a well established organization existed and now these united with the local church.
A well-equipped and attractive Reading Room was maintained, and for the first time a
paid librarian was engaged.   Many obstacles were overcome, and the idea was conceived
at this period of building the present edifice.   Plans were started.
    The opportunity to acquire the north-west corner at Sixth and Van Buren streets was
offered.  Action was taken and plans proceeded rapidly.   There were practically no funds
on hand, and the program seemed a huge undertaking for so small a church, but the members
assumed an indebtedness for a sum amounting to about $24,000.
    With this step taken, the work proceeded rapidly and on Nov. 11, 1911, the corner stone
was laid.  Sunday, Dec. 27, 1913, the first service was held in the new church, now complete
together with the organ and furnishings.   On Sunday, March 27, 1927, the entire debt was
wiped out, opening the way, for the formal dedication, it being a rule that no Christian Science
church building could be dedicated and publicly consecrated to God until it is wholly paid for.
    On Monday, December 28, 1912, just after the church was opened, the following article
appeared in The Bay City Times, which explains in some measure how the church was built
and paid for.
    "A church build without the giving of a single entertainment or bizaar to raise money --- built
entirely from the free will offerings of its members and its congregation --- a church opened
for its first service without any special ceremonies and without the presence of some speaker
noted for his ability to arouse giving enthusiasm --- such is the Christian Science church in
which services were held for the first time yesterday, the closing Sunday of 1912."
    The church of fire-proof construction seats about 300 in the main auditorium, which is
reached through a spacious foyer.   Large lobbies and cloakrooms are found on either side
of the foyer, and at the rear of the church are separate rooms for the readers, the organist,
and the soloist. One distinguishing feature of architectural beauty is the large dome, 110
feet in circumference, with a skylight of colored glass through which light filters in to the
auditorium.   Window of colored glass, soft in tone, simple in design, also help to
beautify the interior.  Fluted hilasters simulating stone pillars support a deep cornice.  The
architectural design follow Grecian lines and is beautiful in its simplicity.
    The following inscriptions in gold letters are found on the walls:
    "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils".  Jesus - Matt. 10:13
    "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."  Mary Baker Eddy.
    "God is Love."