Historical Facts Concerning First Church of Christ, Scientist in Marlborough, Massachusetts

Christian Science services were first held in Marlborough in 1891 at the home of Mrs. Priscilla R. Clough, Central Street, who was the first practitioner here.

Mrs. Clough received her healing in Fayville, a short distance from Marlborough, when, in 1885 she was healed of a complication of diseases in one treatment through the help of Mrs. Mary W. Konroe, a Boston Christian Science practitioner.

The wife of the pastor of the Fayville church had been a girlhood friend of the practitioner, and, although she knew nothing of Christian Science, confidence in her friend led her to suggest this method of treatment after material means had failed.

After her healing, Mrs. Clough continued her study and in 1887, she attained the necessary qualifications to enter the healing work. By 1889 several residents of Marlborough had become interested and Mrs. Clough moved here where there seemed a broader field for activity.

After many years of loyal service here where she so firmly laid the foundation for the movement which has grown consistently and steadily, Mrs. Clough moved to Pasadena, California, with her family. She passed away in that city in May, 1928.

Meetings were held here informally in 1891 on Friday afternoons in the various homes. Within two years from that time, regular Sunday services were established in the Clough home and first and second readers chosen.

In September 1895, the Christian Science society of Marlborough was organized and in January 1896 the increased attendance made it necessary to engage Grand Army hall for services. This same month the card of the Society was placed in The Christian Science Journal. Thirty-two people were present at the first meeting in G.A.R. hall, January 12, 1896. Church notices were printed in the Marlborough Enterprise in February 1897, continuing to the present time.

On April 2, 1898 the Society was merged into a church body known as First Church of Christ, Scientist in Marlborough and a charter obtained from the State on April 6, 1898. Those signing the document were: Priscilla R. Clough, Henry O. White, Harriet A. Stacy, Helen J. Marsh, Josephine L. Rice, Harriet K. Simpson, and Forrest Clough. the first four have passed on, Mrs. Harriet Simpson Woodward now resides in Somerset and Forrest Clough, son of the pioneer worker here, lives in Pasadena, California.

The Sunday school was organized in September 1896 and a month later the first mid-week meeting was held.

The Church property was purchased in 1899 and upon it stood one of the oldest frame houses in the city. The rental of this brought in a small income for several years until the time was right to proceed with building.

The first Christian Science lecture give in Marlborough took place on April 27, 1899, being delivered by Rev. William P. McKenzie, CSB in the Opera House. He was introduced by Attorney Herman Fay. The lecture was printed in full in the Marlborough Enterprise the following day.

On November 26, 1903 the first Thanksgiving service was held in Marlborough. About this time progress in paying for the church property was interrupted in order that this church might contribute to the building fund of The Mother Church, as the Extension was then in the course of construction.

In January 1911 the balance due on the church property was paid and a start made on a fund for the church home. In October 1919 the work of remodeling the old dwelling into a church edifice was commenced.

Howard Cheney of Chicago was the architect; J.H. Warren & Co. contractors and George W. Wallace installed the heating and plumbing. The two last named were Marlborough firms. The corner stone was laid December 29, 1919 and the first service held in the new edifice August 1, 1920. The land and building are valued at $25,000.

All outstanding indebtedness was canceled in July 1928 and the church formally dedicated on September 23, 1928. The increased number of pupils in the Sunday school necessitated the building of a new Sunday school room on the lower floor, this being completed in September 1931. The attendance at both church and Sunday school has shown a marked increase during the past year.

Submitted by
Blanche W. Walker
Member of Board of Directors
November 15, 1932

[retyped by Georgiana and Frederick Rock, 2001-2002]