History

In June 1993, Myrna Young placed an advertisement in the Lake Havasu News Herald announcing a study group has formed, based on the principals found in Ernest Holmes’ text book, The Science of Mind. The first study group was held at the home of Myrna and Ed Young. Five people attended; they all brought friends, and the group kept growing. During the following year, the book studies were moved to the home of Ro and Ray Hollingsworth, then to the home of Dr. Kevin Drummond and his wife Dee, and then to Myrna and Ed’s newly constructed home. In December 1993, Ed Young organized the first Candle Lighting Service, an annual event which continues today.

By January 1994, the group decided they needed to find a location which could accommodate more people and more parking. The study group moved their meetings to an office building downtown, the Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, the Tau Foundation, and then the Holiday Inn. The meetings continued to grow.

Ed Young, his wife Myrna, Mary Finley and Joan Murray (not shown in images). In June 1996, the study group sponsored its first workshop, led by Terry McBride (image right; flyer). It was a great success, with 42 people attending each night.

During the summer of 1996, the study group was officially awarded Pre-Church Status by the national headquarters of the Church of Religious Science. The new church needed a name; members of the study group voted and they adopted the name "Lake Havasu Center of Religious Science."

During the summer of 1996, they study group was awarded "pre-church" status and adopted the name "Lake Havasu Center of Religious Science." In August 1996, the group filed papers to become incorporated; they finally became an official church.

In August 1997, Myrna presented a check for $263 to Nancy Iannone, administrator of Hospice of Havasu (image right). Myra expressed, "As part of our tithing program, it is with great joy that we share with this organization that provides assistance when it is needed the most." This was the first contribution The Center made to a civic organization.

In early 1998, The Center moved into it’s first worship location, on Swanson Avenue, near Acoma Boulevard (image below, left). After a few months at their first location, The Center moved again; their second location was in Shambles Village, across from the bowling alley (image below, right).

In March of 1998, the Center celebrated its charter with United Centers for Religious Science, by holding a celebration at Shambles Village. The celebration included Ruth Wieger's installation as the spiritual leader of the Lake Havasu Center.

In April 1998, The Center Celebrated it's One-Year Birthday Party at Shambles Village. Reverend Ruth Wieger (image below left, brown shirt) and secretary Sandy Wagner (image below left, white shirt) joined in the festivities. The lectern the Center uses today was created by Don Snyder; Don and his wife Hazel joined the Science of Mind study group in 1994. Don donated the lectern to The Center as a gift, during their One-Year Birthday Party (image below right).

After Don made the lectern, Myrna met a local artist at a street art exhibit. (Myrna admitted, "For the life of me, I couldn't tell you his name.") Myrna commissioned this stained-glass masterpiece from the local artist (image right). The stained-glass V was attached to the lectern Don Snyder built, and remains there to this day.

In February 1999, The Center hosted education programs at their Shambles Village location. Charles Frost taught a workshop, "The Possible You." Diana Hudson presented a seminar, "Banish Clutter - Create Order."

Today the center is a member of the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce. Members were delighted to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (image below).