Church of Christ, Scientist

Boston is the world headquarters for the Church of Christ, Scientist, which includes about 1700 branch churches in 80 countries.

The Church of Christ, Scientist, was founded by Mary Baker Eddy and a small group of students in 1879, but the congregation lacked a permanent church home until some fifteen years later.

The Original Mother Church, built in 1894, is at the heart of the Christian Science Plaza and remains today as it was when first built. The building is Romanesque in style, made of New Hampshire granite, and with many stained glass windows depicting Bible events. Designed to seat nearly 1,000 people, it was soon outgrown.

The large domed Extension was completed in 1906, and provides seating for approximately 3,000. The building combines Renaissance and Byzantine architectural concepts. The organ, built by the Aeolian-Skinner Company of Boston, is one of the largest in the world; it covers eight divisions and has a total of 13,290 pipes.

The Church’s pastor is unique, for it consists of two books, the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s primary work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Sunday services are centered around weekly Bible Lessons consisting of citations read by two readers from both books. Wednesday testimony meetings include readings that speak to a current issue or need in the community or world. Following the readings, the congregation is invited to share experiences of spiritual healing or insight gained from prayer and the study of Christian Science. At the Mother Church in Boston, everyone is welcome to attend Sunday services (10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) and Wednesday testimony meetings (12:00 noon and 7:30 p.m.).

For further information about The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, please call 1-617-450-3790 or visit their Web site at www.christianscience.com.