First Church of Christ Scientist

“A beacon of healing.” That’s one way to describe the First Church of Christ Scientist in Chicago. We stand before a modern structure, its presence radiating a sense of calm. Yet, the story of the First Church of Christ Scientist, Chicago, is far from simple. It’s a story spanning over a century, marked by resilience and a deep commitment to spiritual healing. While this current building on North Ridge dates back to the 1980s, the congregation’s roots stretch back to 1914. A group of devout Christian Scientists from the Seventh Church in Edgewater felt a calling to establish a community of their own in Rogers Park. Their journey began humbly. They started with a Reading Room and held services in various locations: the Birchwood Country Club, Armstrong School, Masonic buildings, and the Rogers Park Women’s Club. It wasn’t until 1922 that they found a permanent home on Touhy Avenue. This building, now the Mar Gewargis Cathedral, served the First Church of Christ Scientist, Chicago, for over 50 years. The congregation weathered the storms of the Depression, World War II, and the postwar era. By the 1970s, the need for a new space arose. Their outreach efforts expanded. Their spiritual vision evolved. And unsolicited offers to purchase the Touhy Avenue property started coming in. In 1980, the church sold its building. They temporarily returned to their roots, holding services at the former Birchwood Country Club building, then the North Shore School. Finally, in 1984, they broke ground at this location on North Ridge. The first service was held on the eve of Thanksgiving 1985. The First Church of Christ Scientist follows the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy. She explored the power of spiritual healing after experiencing a dramatic recovery from an injury through prayer. In 1875, she published her seminal work on spiritual healing. A few years later, she founded the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, known as The Mother Church. From these beginnings, Christian Science spread across the globe. Interestingly, Chicago’s first Christian Science congregation predates this building. It was founded in 1886, holding meetings at the Sherman House hotel before establishing a church on South Drexel Boulevard in 1897. While that building is no longer associated with Christian Science, it marks another chapter in the rich history of this faith in Chicago. As you stand here, before the First Church of Christ Scientist on North Ridge, you are witnessing a testament to the enduring power of faith and community.