First Church of Christ Scientist

Did Carrère and Hastings envision children filling the hallowed halls of the First Church of Christ, Scientist when they designed it over a century ago? Probably not. Yet here we stand before this magnificent edifice, now the future home of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, completed in 1903, stands proudly at the corner of Central Park West and 96th Street. It’s a testament to a fascinating and turbulent history, a story of faith, ambition, and ultimately, transformation. The church, with its stunning white Concord granite, was described by the New York Times as “one of the city’s most sumptuous churches.” It’s a far cry from the rented halls and renovated churches the congregation occupied before they could afford this architectural masterpiece. This First Church of Christ, Scientist was no ordinary church. Its construction was a marvel, exceeding its initial budget several times over. The final cost, a staggering $1.185 million in 1903, was entirely paid for upon completion, thanks to the tireless fundraising of Augusta Stetson, the church’s first reader. Inside, the opulence was breathtaking. Stained-glass windows by John LaFarge, gold-plated chandeliers, marble floors, and Circassian walnut pews graced its interior. The auditorium, designed to hold a staggering 2,200 worshippers, speaks volumes about the congregation’s size and ambition at the time. But the story of the First Church of Christ, Scientist is not just about its physical grandeur. It’s also about the complex and controversial figure of Augusta Stetson. A close friend of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Stetson spearheaded the New York City branch of the church. Her leadership, however, was marked by both dynamism and controversy, ultimately leading to her excommunication in 1909. Imagine her watching from her neighboring mansion as the faithful continued to flock to the church she built, now forbidden to her. The church itself continued to serve the Christian Science community until 2004 when dwindling membership led to its sale. It then housed the Crenshaw Christian Center East for a decade before being sold again. Plans to convert the building into luxury condominiums, thankfully, fell through. Now, on the cusp of a new chapter, the First Church of Christ, Scientist is preparing to welcome a different kind of congregation. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan plans to transform this once sacred space into a place of wonder and learning. It’s a fitting evolution for a building that has witnessed so much history. From a beacon of faith to a future hub of childhood exploration, the First Church of Christ, Scientist continues to stand as a testament to the enduring power of transformation.