The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1906-06-16
CHRISTIAN
SCIENTISTS
THE DEDICATION OF THE
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST
AT BOSTON A NOTABLE
EVENT

BOSTON, Mass, J une Io.-Thc
dedication of a magnificent new ad
dition to the Mother Church of the
Christian Science denomination, in
Boston, IS an event of the highest
significance in the history of this re-
ligious body The interest of all
Christian Scientists is centered on
Boston and thousands from all parts
of the world thronged the historic
old city. The reguluar communion OF
the Christian Science Church always
brings multitude of its adherents to
Boston, but the dedication of the new
structure this year has made the at
tendance unusually large.
Built as the result of spontaneous
recognition of Mrs. Eddyy's life work
and of the imperative demands of tn.
marvellous growth Of the movement
expressing the liberality of thousands
of Christian Scientists, and embody-
ing the best in architectural design
and modern construction, this new
building is logically the central feat
ure of this years gathering. although
Christian Scientists say that they lay
the greater stress upon the spiritual
awakening which has inspired the
generous liberality expressed.
Facts Abou. the Church
The church is one of the largest, if
rot the largest. in the United States,
its seating capacity being 5,oIo It's
style of architecture is Italian Renais-
sance. The pews and other interior
woodwork fnishings are of mahog-
any. The walls are Concord granite
and Bedford stone with beautiful de-
corative carvings. The inside finish is
| a soft gray TO harmonic with the
Bedford stone columns supporting
the dome. The height of the building
to the top of the lantern, is 224 feet,
just one foot higher than Bunker
| Hill Monument The dome is 81 feet
in diameter and is covered with terra
! Gotta to match the Bedford ston.
The building presents a stately ap-
pearance, and it is already recognized
as one of the landmarks of Boston.
The first floor contains the various
Offices, large foyer, Sunday school
room, cloak rooms, etc. There are II
exits and seven staircases. The cost
of the building is something less than
two million dollars. The new chimes
consist of eleven bells made by the
Meneely Bell Co., of Troy. N Y
The largest bell, which is C. sharp
weighs 1000 lbs. The smallest bell
weighs 400 lbs. The organ is re
cessarily one of the largest in the
world. 1t is strictly up-to-date and
contains all modern appliances.
Remarkable Growth
The original Mother Church
which adjoins the new building seats
about 1900, and yet three Sunday
services are required to accommo
date the attendance. 1t is said tha
when this edifice was planned some
of the members were disturbed or
account of its size. They though
that the provision of SO large an au
ditorium was entirely uncalled for
the attendance at that time being on
ly about $50.
Mrs. Eddy organized the FRS
Church of Christ Scientist in Bostor
in 1870 with twenty-six members
SO slow was the growth of the move
ment at first that in 1880, ten year!
later, there were only eleven church
es. From that time, however, th'
growth was more rapid In 1900
there were 3oI churches. At tn,
present time, 1906, there are 65.
churches and 275 societies not ye
organized as churches, making o3
societies holding church services. II
1880 there were only 45o members il
the entire connection In 1894 tn,
total membership was 2,536. Fiv'
years later it had reached 1884
These figures show that the princi
pal growth has taken place during
the past seven years The member
ship at the present time is abuot u,
600, but that there are multitudes in
,terested in the movement outside th
actual church membership is evi
denced by the large attendance a
the Christian Science services AM
the fact that nearly 100000 copies o
the Christian Science textbook ar
lat present in circulation.