Did you know Mary Baker Eddy’s final resting place is a breathtaking memorial? It’s right here in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge Massachusetts. This isn’t just any gravesite. It’s a stunning tribute to the woman who founded Christian Science.
The Mary Baker Eddy Memorial is more than a simple marker. It’s a beautiful open-air structure designed by Egerton Swartwout a renowned New York architect. Swartwout’s design features a circular colonnade of eight granite columns. These columns stand fifteen feet tall reminiscent of the ancient Tower of the Winds in Athens.
The memorial is not only architecturally significant but also symbolically rich. Carvings of wild roses Eddy’s favorite flower adorn the structure. Morning glories sheaves of wheat and the lamp of wisdom are also featured. Biblical quotes and excerpts from Eddy’s own writings are inscribed adding a profound spiritual dimension.
Construction of this impressive memorial began in 1915 and concluded in 1917. Granite was chosen over marble for its superior durability ensuring the memorial’s lasting presence. The site itself was carefully selected on the shore of Halcyon Lake offering a tranquil and picturesque setting. The memorial was created by the Christian Science Board of Directors who raised funds for the project.
Before the memorial was built Eddy’s casket was temporarily placed in the cemetery’s receiving tomb. It was then lowered into an oak container encased in steel-reinforced concrete. A copper box filled with Eddy’s writings rested atop her casket before it was sealed. This elaborate arrangement ensured the preservation of her remains.
The Mary Baker Eddy Memorial at Mount Auburn Cemetery is a testament to both her life and her legacy. It’s a place of reflection a stunning work of art and a fitting tribute to a woman who profoundly impacted religious thought and practice. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry and the peaceful beauty. Let the tranquil atmosphere remind you of the lasting influence Mary Baker Eddy continues to have on the world.