• Founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, the Church of Christian Science centers on spiritual healing through prayer. Followers study Eddy's book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and the Bible.

• Eddy read of one of Jesus's miracle healings in the Bible when she was suddenly cured from the effects of a severe accident, prompting several years of intense Biblical study and prayer.

• In 1870, Eddy taught her first Christian Science class.

• In 1875, she published her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

• In 1879, Eddy, along with a group of 15 followers, founded the Church of Christ, Scientist.

• In 1892, the Church of Christ, Scientist, was reorganized into its present form as The Mother Church (i.e., the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston) and its branches around the world.

• Followers of Christian Science adhere to Eddy's book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and the Bible. These two books are the joint Pastor of the Christian Science church, in place of clergy.

• Christian Science teachings include the idea that the creation is entirely spiritual and whole, while matter and sin are the illusive "mist" that befogged creation.

• Jesus saved humanity from this "mist" of sickness, sin, and death and was therefore the "remedy for Adam."

• Heaven and hell are not literal places. "Heaven" is being in complete harmony with God and "Hell" is being outside that harmony.

• God is referred to as "Father-Mother" and Jesus is considered divine, but not God.

• Mary Baker Eddy wanted her Church’s Pastor to be as pure and powerful as God’s Word itself. In 1895, she ordained both the Bible and her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, as the pastor which opens up the Bible in its application to all human needs.

• Together, these two books are a mentor, spiritual resource, and guide available to all—a Pastor for the world.

• Each church service centers around a theme guided by the Christian Science quarterly. Bible quotes and quotes from the Science and Health surrounding the theme are delivered by first and second readers rather than preaching from the books.

• very little symbolism in Christian Science

  • There is not and could never be a perfect symbol, because a symbol is always imperfect, limited, and unreal. Consequently, there is not and could not be a perfect, scientific, or metaphysical system of symbolization.

• Though symbols or parables were used throughout the Bible to convey spiritual teaching, any system of symbolism forms a part of the scientific terminology of Christian Science.

  • Science is exact and must be stated in exact terms.

  • Symbols are merely representative or illustrative forms of speech by which the human mind may be helped to approach or infer some spiritual truth.

• Christian Science was introduced to Chattanooga in 1886, and a small group of worshippers met at each other's homes to hold church services.

• The first church site was on 629 Market Street at the Richardson Building in Room 413.

• In 1897, the church officially became the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

• In Dec. 1911, the Church split into two: the original First Church of Christ, Scientist and the new Second Church of Christ, Scientist, which relocated to formally 312 McCallie Ave.

• In March 1925, the two churches unified under the name First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Sundays:

• Hymn

• Scriptural reference

• Silent prayer

• Hymn

• Notices

• Solo

• Reading the explanatory note

• Read the golden text

• Reading the responsive reading

• Reading the lesson sermon

• Collection

• Hymn

• Read the scientific statement of being

• Benediction

Wednesdays:

• Topical reading

• Time for the congregation to share personal testimony and reflection