St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-05-13
REV. MARY BAKER EDDY'S GIFT.
New Christian Science Church.


Through the generous gift of the Rev.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Christian Scien
lists OF Concord, N. H., are to have one
of the finest church structures in the
Granite state The plans tor this editce
were presented at largely attended
churco meeting Wedne sday evening, and
work will begin upon the new structure
in the near future. The gift OF Mrs. Eddy
includes the DIT sirable lot OF land now
occupied by Christian Science Hall in the
heart of the city, at the corner of State
and School streets, and is without doubt
one of the finest locations in Concord Tor
church building.
In addition to the gift of this choice
location Mrs. Eddy presented to the
church a cash donation OF 500 900,
making her total present represent the
sum of $12O,OO0.
The church will be built of Concord
granite as specified by Mrs. Eddy in her
original dee of trust and first announced
in the Concord Monitor OF March 10,
1898. In response to an inquiry from
the editor OF that paper Mrs. Eddy made
the following statement:
ION January 81, 1898, gave deed
of trust to three individuals which con-
veyed to them the sum of 100000, to
be appropriated in building granite
church edifice for First Church of Christ,
Scientist, in this city"
Very truly.
Mary Baker Eddy.
In the fall of 1897 Mrs. Eddy purchased
the property opposite the High School
and adjoining the State Capitol, and
after remodelling the mansion into a
hall and reading rooms at total outlay
OF $4,000, she presented Christian Sci
ence Hall and grounds to the local mem.
bers for their use.
On February %, 1899, First Church
of Christ, Scientist. was organized with
membership OF 70. The congregation
has outgrown its present quarters and
the new church is required to accommo
date the increase in membership which
has been SO remarkable.
The church will be built of the same
beautiful Concord granite Of which the
National Library buidingi in Washington
is constructed. The architecture will bt
Gothic, and in proportion and outline il
will be in keeping with modern ideas of a
church building. 1t is intended that the
pews of the church shall seat 1000.
The trustees OF the building fund who
will have the oversight of the construc
ton OF the new edifce are Messrs. Free
N. Laid, Josiah E. Dwight and ]. Wesley
Pummer. Francis R. Allen of Boston
has been employed as architect.
TLa ,.aeo,+ Ere+ a1ar of r he church II
Rev. Irving c. Tomlinson second reader
Miss Mary E. Tomlinson.
| The meeting Wednesday evening SEN
to the generous donor the following
letter OF appreciation and gratitude:
"Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,
Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.
Beloved Teacher and Leader:-
The members OF the Concord churcl
are filled with profound joy and deeI
gratitude that your generous gift o
500 900 is to be used ar once to build (
beautiful church edifce for your follower
in the Capitol City OF your native state
We rejoice that the prosperity OF tn
Cause in your home city. where, withou
regard to class or creed, you are 81
highly esteemed, makes necessary tn
commodious and beautiful church hom
you have so freely bestowed. We thaul
you for this renewed evidence of you
unselfsh love-"
Since the congregation has alread.
outgrown the accommodations OF Chris
tan Science Hall, building operation
will be begun at an early date. The citl
Gems of Concord regard Mrs. Eddy's gen
crosby with favor and are greatl
pleased that another splendid building !
to be added to the handsome edifices
the Capitol City.