Name/Title
Christian Science Church 1887Entry/Object ID
9999.CHU.7Tags
Further researchScope and Content
Christian Science Church 1887
First Church of Christ Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy. It stressed a particular style of spiritual healing.
Historical Statements regarding Mr. Charles Howe, CSP of St. Joseph Missouri and the and growth of Christians Science.
Began as Church of Christ, Scientists in 1928. Name change took place in 1992.
1887 First Church of Christ, Scientists, and the Second Church of Christ, Scientists, joined to one church led by Charles M. Howe.
Death of C. M. Howe the first teacher and practitioner of Christian Science
He was born August 12, 1851 in Olean, NY. His father was Willis M. Howe, a lumber merchant. In 1874 the family moved to Central City, NE and lived there until 1882, then moving to Omaha.
At this time Mr., Howe was in the employ of the Burlington railroad and falling health made it necessary for him to give up the work.
He then began the study of Christian Science and in 1887 he came to St. Joseph and began to teach and practice Christian Science.
In 1888 he went to Boston and attended the Massachusetts Metaphysical College where he studied the personal teaching of Mary Baker Eddy.
Upon graduating from this institution he returned to St. Joseph and resumed healing and teaching for a number of years he was first reader of the First Church of Christ Science and he was the main factor in the erection of the Christian Science Church. He had general supervision of the plans and the construction covering a period of several years.
Mary Baker Eddy Museum Quarterly News 1882. Family from New England and to the Black Hills Part I
Mary Baker Eddy Museum Quarterly News 1982-1983. Family from New England to the Black Hills. Part II
Article about Church of Christ, Scientist tries to heal its divisions by Jeffery Sheler.
Mr. Howe was commissioned by Mrs. Eddy to erect a residence for her son George W. Glover Lead, SD. The funds were placed in St. Joseph Banks and the plans were made by St. Joseph architects under the direction of Mr. Howe.
Mr. Howe was assistant to the publication committee of the state of Missouri for the First Church of Christ Science and he held this position at the time of his death.
He as married to Mary B. Powell. He is buried at Mount Mora Cemetery.
1907 church built at 12th and Felix, St. Joseph, Missouri. Before that several other places were used for services including the Crawford Opera House, later the Lyceum Theatre, and the Unitarian Church.
Although church built in 1907 it was not dedicated until 1954 when it was free of debt.
Christian Science Church has no ministers, In the auditorium there is a rostrum with a high desk or two separate desks to accommodate two readers. According to Sommers the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Health With Key to the Scripture, are considered the only preachers.
Location corner of Twelfth and Felix St. Joseph, Missouri; lot 110 by 140 feet; cost $134,500; built 1905-6; seating capacity 900; Architect F. R. Comstock, New York City.
Preparatory School for girls and boys list of pupils and advisory board for 1900-1901.
Church organ was made by Hook and Hastings. The Christian Science organ is a very much a romantic organ, designs to provide a large palette of tonal color, and the wide dynamic range typically found in orchestral scores, I has a full, but unforced sound, the result of generous pipe scales and relatively low wing pressure.
There are two pictures of the organ at the Christian Science Church.
Report of the History of Hook & Hastings Opus 2151 First Church of Christ Scientist St. Joseph, MO.
Dedication Program for Church; organized and incorporated March 28, 1895
Corner stone laid June 12, 1895
Opening Date July 22, 1907
Dedication June 6, 1954
1966 Architectural Tour June 1 and 2
Pictorial History by Mildred Grenier
Chapel on Felix Street located at 709-711.
Picture of church after restoration 1932
1932-1950 Picture of Parish House where Sunday school was held, north side of Church on 7th Street.
Picture of Parsonage at 1302 Ashland, northwest corner of Ashland and Folsom
Picture of Church 1894-1929
Picture of church belonging to St. Joseph Museum
History of Hook & Hastings Opus 2151 First Church of Christ, Scientist Saint Joseph, Missouri
Pictures of church with pipe organs
Picture September 25, 1997 Saint Joseph Telegraph, First Church of Christ, Scientist, repairs weather damage to its historic Downtown meeting place.
Picture November 25, 1999 Saint Joseph Telegraph, Churches are moving spiritually, literally. Francis Street and First United Methodist Churches merged and are moving ahead. The Downtown Church of Christ Scientist continues to hold two services each week.
Scientists Strong on Faith St. Joseph News-Press March 31, 1974.
St. Joseph Preservation, Inc St. Joseph, Missouri October 24, 1987 Brochure Historic Church Tour and Pipe Organ Recitals. Pictures of First Baptist Church 13th and Francis; First Church of Christ Scientist 12th and Felix Streets; Faith and Love Fellowship 13th and Jules streets; Unity Center 12th and Felix Street and Francis Street United Methodist Church 12th and Francis Streets.
During the later part of the 20th century, the congregation began to dimity until at the time of the St. Joseph Museum purchase, there were only a handful of attendees at the services.
Booklet of Christian Science Weekly Bible Lessons January-March 2002Lexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
ChurchesSearch Terms
Christian Science, First Church of Christ ScientisRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
F. R. ComstockPerson or Organization
C. M. HowePerson or Organization
Mary Baker EddyPerson or Organization
Willis M. HowePerson or Organization
George GloverPerson or Organization
Mary PowellPerson or Organization
MILDRED GRENIER