The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-04-16

1ISl I'LL OClCllCC Sh0A I'll Va
ganized ..lSI6
First Christian Science church
Corner stone of cathedral laid. ...1904
Christian Science cathedral to be
Rising above the rooftops and the
church spires of Back Bay, Bos-
ton. and reaching a loftier height
even that Bunker Hill monument,
looms the new cathedral of Christian
Science, at once the largest, the cost
Hest and the most magnificent church
edifice in this part of the country
says the Boston Globe.
Yet, Notwithstanding these superla-
tives regarding size, cost and splendor,
it has sprung up with a speed that is
amazing. No other great building in
New England ever approached compile
ton with such unparalleled rapidity.
Day and night armies of skilled work.
men, each numbering more than 300,
are engaged in the work, and every eff
fort is being bent toward having this
monument to the new teaching and
the new religion ready for public wor-
ship by the coming summer.
1t is only two years since the corner
stone was laid. 1t is only twelve years
since the first church Of the new de-
nomination. the Mother church." as 1t
is called, was built. 1t will be thirty
years next July since the first Chris
tan Science church was formally or
ganized, and it is only forty years since
Mrs. Mary Baker discovered Christian
Science.
Yet when this great cathedral is
completed, at a cost which no one is
able to state now exactly, but which,
it is expected, will not greatly exceed
50, 600, 900, money will be available for
paying the last cent of Indebtedness.
The cathedral adjoins the Mother
church, which is at the junction of
Norway and Falmouth streets, and ex-
tends back to st. Paul street, so that
the complete edifce occupies the en-
tire triangle, with the Mother church
at the apex, and Norway and Falmouth
streets forming the sides, and st. Paul
street forming the base.
Probably with less preliminary dis
cussion than ever attended the begin
ming of any other ecclesiastical enter
tainly with much less discussion than
has attended many smaller things, this
new denomination went to work to
create on the Back Bay of Boston a
structure that would stand unrivaled
in many respects by the grandest of
other branches of Christendom at least
in this part of the world.
They planned for an auditorium
which should be the largest in New
England in it's seating capacity. Space
was provided for a mile and a half
of pews, magnificent pews of solid ma
hogany, which would give a seating
capacity of 5000. This is more than
five times the capacity of the Old
South church, the handsomest church
of the Congregationalists in Boston.
1t is more than three times the ca
pacity of Trinity church, which has
often been called the Episcopal ca
thedral of Massachusetts,. 1t is nearly
twice the size of fremont temple,
whose chief feature is the size of it's
great auditorium And it is more than
half as large again as the cathedral Of
the Holy Cross, the Catholic cathedral
of Massachusetts,.
Just when the new building will be
completed is not stated by the officials
in charge, although the tremendous
energy displayed by the contractors
shows that an early date is desired.
Next June the Christian Scientists hold
their annual meeting, and disciples
will come from all parts of the world
to participate in the event. Last year
owing to the fact that there was no
desirable meeting place, the members
from distance were almost urged not
to come, but to postpone the visit until
this year. So it may be the plan to
finish the cathedral in time for that
meeting.
Another significant date Of some i'm
portance will fall on July 4, which is
the thirtieth anniversary of the or
ganization of the first Christian Sci