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BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH
On April 6, 1898 the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Marlborough
was organized. The charter was signed by Priscilla R. Clough,
Henry O. White, Forrest A. Clough, Josephine L. Rice, Helen J.
Marsh, Harriet M. Simpson, and Harriet A. Stacy.
The real beginning of the Christian Science Church in Marlborough
came about through the healing of Mrs. Priscilla R. Clough by
Mary W. Munroe, CSD. In 1886, Mrs. Clough was healed in one treatment
of complications of diseases while residing in Fayville. After
her healing, Mrs. Clough continued her study of Christian Science.
In 1887 she became a practitioner and entered the healing work.
By 1889 several residents of Marlborough had become interested
in Christian Science, and Mrs. Clough moved here to Marlborough.
Christian Science services were first held in 1891 at the
home of Mrs. Clough on Central Street. In September 1895, the
Christian Science Society of Marlborough was organized. Early
the following year the first service was held in Grand Army Hall,
now the American Legion building. With steady and continued growth
the First Church of Christ, Scientist was organized in 1898.
The first Christian Science lecture was given in April 1899
by William P. McKenzie, CSB in what was then known as the Opera
House.
The church property was purchased in 1899 at the corner of
West Main and Winthrop streets. On the lot was an old frame house,
one of the first to be built in Marlborough. The rental of the
four apartments brought in a small income for several years until
the time was right to proceed with building. Howard Cheney of
Chicago, one of the foremost church architects in the country,
designed the edifice. The corner stone was laid December 29,
1919. The first service was held in the new edifice August 1,
1920. All outstanding indebtedness was canceled in July 1928.
The church was formally dedicated on September 23, 1928.
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