Christian Science Timeline

1880-1910

The development of the Christian Science Sunday School took place between 1880 and 1910.

1880-1910

Mary Baker Eddy first considered having a Sunday School in conjunction with Sunday services in 1880. To introduce the idea she invited five-year-old Warren Choate, son of George and Clara Choate with whom the Eddys were then living, to become the first pupil.
Mary Baker Eddy’s husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy, organized the ensuing Christian Science Sunday School in 1881. There are no records of these earliest Sunday School sessions, other than the fact that they occurred. Probably they were fairly informal, and many of the participants were adults rather than children.
On October 25, 1885, the Sunday School was opened and classes were formed.
1891

Publishes landmark 50th edition of Science and Health.

1891

A reordering of chapters, new chapter titles, and the addition of marginal headings makes this the first edition to contain many elements familiar to readers today.
1891

Publishes Retrospection and Introspection.

1891

Throughout her life and in her writings, Mary Baker Eddy discouraged personal adulation. She believed that people would find her true character and purpose in her own writings, rather than in a biographical record. Responding to the curiosity of the public and the press about her life, Eddy eventually wrote a short volume titled Retrospection and Introspection, first published in 1891.

Throughout this spiritual autobiography, Eddy shares many insights. Her focus in Retrospection and Introspection is keenly expressed when she writes, “Mere historic incidents and personal events are frivolous and of no moment, unless they illustrate the ethics of Truth.“ Eddy also used Retrospection and Introspection to reflect on her youth, her experiences as a healer and author, and the publication of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
1892

Church of Christ (Scientist) reorganizes as The First Church of Christ, Scientist with four-person Board of Directors and twelve First Members.
1893

Colorado is the first state granting women the right to vote.
1894

Ordains Bible and Science and Health as pastor of The Mother Church.
1894

Construction of The Mother Church completed

1894

The Original Mother Church, built in 1894, is at the heart of the Christian Science Plaza and remains today as it was when first built.

The building is Romanesque in style, made of New Hampshire granite, and contains stained glass windows depicting Bible events. However, it was only designed for a capacity of 1,000 people, which it soon reached.
1895

Ordains Bible and Science and Health as dual pastor in branch churches.

1895

The Church’s pastor is unique, for it consists of two books, the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s primary work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Sunday services are centered around weekly Bible Lessons consisting of citations from both books.

Wednesday testimony meetings include readings that speak to a current issue or need in the community or world. Following the readings, the congregation is invited to share experiences of spiritual healing or insight gained from prayer and the study of Christian Science.
1895

Mary Baker Eddy and her personal secretary, Calvin Frye

1895

Eight hooves, four wheels, and a coachman on the box meant more to Mary Baker Eddy than just a means of transportation.
For her, daily carriage rides represented recreation, rare moments of solitude, and opportunities for prayer.