The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-07
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND
MINNEsOTA'S PIONEER CHRISTIAN
SCIENTIST CHURCH
1t Is Dedicated in the Presence of a
Representative Audience Gath
cred From Many States In the
Northwest - History of the
Church Organization.

The First Church of Christian Science
dedicated it's new house Of worship at
Fifteenth street, between Portland
and Park avenues, Minneapolis, with
three interesting services yesterday.
The different services were the same,
and were attended by several hundred
people, many being visitors to the city
from different parts of the state, Iowa,
Wisconsin and Chicago.
Interesting papers were read by
First Reader Mrs. Henry Bookings
and Second Reader Willard G. Hollis.
in which the doctrine and belief of
Christian science were carefully con-
sidered and calculated upon. Vocal
music was rendered by the choir, con-
sisting Of Miss Edna Stanchfield, So
prano; Miss Mary Stannard, alto;
Charles M. Holman, tenor; Fred
Smith, bass. Miss Florence Burtis Off
ciated as accompanist.
The church dedicated yesterday is
the first built by Christian Scientists
of the state and was erected at a cost
of $4,000. The plans were by Architect
5. j. Bowler, of this city. The exterior
is of Tuscan Doric style, the columns
and moulded details of which are
composed of terra Gotta, and of a color
that matches the brick facing All the
walls are of solid masonry. The main
entrance to the building is under a
deep porticO, from thence to a broad
vestibule and to the auditorium, which
| is finished in Italian Renaissance. Two
balconies placed back of triarcades
take the place of galleries. leaving the
main room perfectly balanced on all
sides In it's architectural design and
detail. Decorated pilasters and capt.
tails are placed around the room on
which cCrnice is carried; from thence
the dome springs, finished in a lantern
of stained glass. The whole of the
room is finished in plain tints of cream
white and delicate green, the high
lights being tipped with gold. In the
rear of the auditorium is lecture
room, which can be opened and used
in connection with it, thus making the
whole seating capacity 700.
The church society has had a corpor-
ate existence only since Dec 241892.
Previous to this time the organization
was but a handful Of people, who met
at various halls of the city. This or
ganization finally went out of exist
ence, giving up name and organiZa-
ton some weeks previous to the OF =
ganization of the present congregation
The congregat ton is consequently but q
little over five years old, but in this
brief period of existence has been very
enterprising. During the first months
Of its existence the congregation held
regular Sunday services at Masonic
Temple. The membership soon out
grew the quarters, and until recently
tie congregation met at the Kinder
garten building, 314 Tenth street south
The idea of building a church was
first preached in April, 1886, and at
which time a building committee was
appointed. The funds have been prin-
cipally raised through private sub
scriptiOns, and so successful was this
committee in its labors that it saw its
way clear to purchase the present site
and commence work on the new build
ing within a year-and half. Exca-
walton and clearing of the ground
was started last September, and pro-
gress was so rapid that Oct %, 1897
the corner stone was laid The build
ing with It's site is valued at S11 900
and is entirely clear Of debt The
board of trustees under whose super
vision the affairs of the church are
conducted consists Of the following
Chairman, Willard G. Hollis. Henry
Shaser, John H. Ayers. Mesdames
Clara b. Babbidge, NJ. Annie GAYLORD,
Florence II. Hollis and Flora NJ H.
Lyon.
An interesting experience meeting
will be held at the church Friday
morning, at which time a great num-
Der of letters of congratulation from
various Christian Science congregation
throughout the country, a few being
from Europe will be read.