Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-10-01
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH
Is FORMALLY DEDICATED
Historical Sketch Of Organization is
Read. New Building is Free
of Debt. &

=
Read. New Building is Free
of Debt.
The edifce Of the First Church Of |
Christ Scientist Of this city was ded-
icated last Sunday forenoon at the
regular services. A large number Of
friends were present to rejoice with
the members of the church that their
building was now free from all debt
and could thus be dedicated to the
cause which is so dear to the heart
of every loyal Christian Scientist
Before the reading Of the regular
lesson sermon, sketch of the his
tory of the Christian movement in
Willmar was read by the First Read
er, from which the following extracts
are made:
"Christian Science first became
known in Willmar in the spring Of
1897, when two men became inter-
ested in its benefcient teachings,
thru physical healing. One Of them
was restored to health and activity
after having been an invalid for
more than two years. These same
two men began reading the Christian
lesson sermon together on Sunday
forenoons at the home of one OF
them. After some time another man,
whose case had been pronounced
hopeless by the physicians, became
interested enough to try Christian
} Science and was restored to health
in comparatively short time and he
i steadily attended the Sunday meet
ings after his healing. Soon another
man and another became interested
and after a time eli ght or nine men
met regularly. Two women, wives Of
two Of the men who were attendants,
! also became interested and accom-
panied their husbands to the meet
, ings.
"In the spring Of 1901 it was de-
cided to rent a small hall in a more
central location, and room in the
Odd Fellows block was secured.
This step to meet in public place,
; seemed to be a step in the right di-
rection for the attendance increased.
5 As the mission Of Christian Science
! became better known not only as
+ salvation for the soul, but also to
set mankind free physically, calls
for help began to come, and a Chris
tian Science practitioner from a
!, neighboring town came here off and
on for some time.
al "In the summer Of 1908 there
4 was a unanimous decision among
: those interested that the time had
come to form society, which was
done. At this time it was decided ia
rent the large lodge room in the
y same building, for Sunday services
e which also proved to be another ster
a forward, as the attendance increas-
!: ed and all expenses were easily met
+ "The first Christian Sciencelecture
e was given in the spring of 1908. The
attendance was good and much in
G terest was manifested. The same
h summer practitioner located per-
n manently here, and the healing work
r was attended with marked success.
I'll "a public reading room was later
established and has been maintain.
e ed as part Of the work. Then il
!" was decided to hold regular Wednes.
Il day evening testimonial meetings
! This helped to establish the cause
a more firmly and added to the at.
J. tendance at the services as these
S meetings were great help and com
fort to those interested and aidet
a in spreading the good news to those
: in need of healing and comfort. A
: lecture has since been given regular.
It ly once year and these lectures
l. have proven to be powerful agents If
arousing the interest in Christian
Is Science and also in correcting mis-
e conceptions and erroneous beliefs
it held by those not acquainted with
e it's teachings.
IL During this time Of growth there
: became manifest desire to organ
# ize as church and on Feb. 2, 1906
: this was accomplished by organizin:
j. ard incorporating under the laws o:
a the state. In the summer Of tn,
5 same year it was decided to begin t:
l. gather a church building fund, ant
Il also to purchase either a suitable
le plot OF ground for a church home
or some building suitable for a place
d Of worship. The building fund KEEP
e accommodating, and as no desirable
y building could be found, it was de-
= | o;dod in tho enrino Of 1909 To mn