Consider this a gateway. The Ninth Church of Christian Scientist opened its doors March 27 1921. It stands as a beacon of faith and healing. This church is a branch of The Mother Church. The First Church of Christ Scientist is in Boston Massachusetts.
The Ninth Church of Christian Scientist’s purpose is clear. It commemorates the work of Christ Jesus. It seeks to reinstate primitive Christianity. This includes its lost element of healing.
Christian Scientists have strong beliefs. They believe in one infinite God. This God is all and all good. God is not distant or unknowable to them. He is all encompassing and always present. Each person is loved by God. Each is cared for by Him. All are made in God’s image. This image is spiritual not material.
Christian Scientists revere the Bible. They recognize Christ Jesus as the Son of God. He is the promised Messiah. Jesus’ teachings and healing showed scientific Christianity. This is the application of God’s laws. These laws are still practical today. Anyone can prove them anywhere. The Commandments are central. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is key to their lives. It is key to their practice of Christianity.
Above all they believe in God’s love. This love has saving healing power. No one is beyond redemption. No problem is too entrenched. No problem is too overwhelming. All can be addressed and healed. Christian Scientists believe goodness can be experienced now. It is not just some future event. Everyone can experience it.
Want to learn more about Christian Science? Explore Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Mary Baker Eddy wrote this Christian Science textbook.
Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ Scientist in 1879. It was founded in Boston Massachusetts. This followed her claimed healing in 1866. She said it came from reading the Bible. The Bible and Eddy’s textbook are key doctrinal sources. They are the church’s dual impersonal pastor.
In the early 20th century churches spread worldwide. Recently membership has declined except in Africa. The church headquarters are in Boston. It does not report membership. Estimates range from under 100000 to about 400000. In 2010 there were 1153 churches in the United States.
Christian Scientists find prayer effective. They use it for healing diseases. The Church has collected over 50000 testimonies. These are incidents of healing through Christian Science treatment alone. Most ailments were undiagnosed by medical professionals. The Church requires three people to vouch for testimonies. Verifiers say they witnessed the healing. Or they know the testifier well enough.
A Christian Science practitioner prays full time for others. They do not use drugs. They do not make medical diagnoses. Christian Scientists may take a two-week Primary class. This is from an authorized Christian Science teacher. Those who want to become Journal-listed practitioners must have Primary class instruction. They must have a record of healing. Then they can submit their names for publication. This is in the Christian Science Journal directory. A practitioner listed for three years may apply for Normal class instruction. It is given every three years. Those certified can teach.
Both Primary and Normal classes use the Bible. They use the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. The Primary class focuses on Recapitulation in Science and Health. This chapter uses the Socratic method. It contains the Scientific Statement of Being. The Normal class focuses on the platform of Christian Science. This is on pages 330-340 of Science and Health.
The First Church of Christ Scientist is the legal title. It is the administrative headquarters. The Mary Baker Eddy Library is housed in an 11-story structure. It was built for The Christian Science Publishing Society.
The Christian Science Monitor is an international newspaper. Eddy founded it in 1908. It has won seven Pulitzer Prizes. The church publishes it.
The Christian Science Board of Directors is a five-person entity. Mary Baker Eddy created it. It conducts church business. It follows the Church Manual’s by-laws.
Join the Ninth Church of Christian Scientist for services. Sunday Services are at 10:30 AM. Sunday School is also at 10:30 AM. Wednesday Testimony Meetings are at 7:30 PM. The church is near the West Portal business district. It is an easy walk from Muni or bus lines. The Sunday School welcomes children. It teaches the importance of the Bible. The Children’s Room cares for little ones. They may be too young for Sunday School.
The Christian Science Reading Room is on West Portal Avenue. It is one of over 1500 worldwide. It is for exploring spirituality prayer and healing. It is open to the public. You’ll find Bible study tools. You find Christian Science literature. This includes The Christian Science Monitor. Discover peace comfort and spiritual solutions. Purchase or borrow Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Mary Baker Eddy wrote it.