Inception of Interest
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Marlborough, Massachusetts

The real beginning of the Christian Science church in Marlborough, Massachusetts came about through the healing of Mrs. Priscilla R. Clough by Mary W. Munroe, C.S.B.

In 1885 -- Mrs. and Mrs. Morton M. Clough and their three children, were regular attendants of the Baptist Church in Fayville, Massachusetts, three miles from Marlborough, Massachusetts. Mrs. M.M. Clough was very active in the Church, she led the Mission Band for the children; instructed the older girls in sewing; and taught a Sunday school class of boys.

In 1886 -- Mrs. Clough was ill, a physician was called, and pronounced it nervous prostration and a complication of diseases. A nurse was engaged, who also did the housework.

Very soon, the wife of the minister, Mrs. George Gay, came and yearned to help her. She read from the Bible and prayed, then she mentioned that her dear school friend, Mary W. Munroe from Somerville, Massachusetts, was coming soon to visit her, and that she was a Christian Science Healer. She was sure that it was good, because it was founded upon the bible and she used prayer, and it would be helpful to talk with her. Mrs. Munroe was cordially invited to call, and when she came Mrs. Clough heard the words of Truth with joy, and after one treatment, was instantaneously healed. She remained well, took the full care of her household. She read Science and Health, and healed the members of her family first, then her friends. Mr. Clough, who was happy over the healing of his wife, took her several times to Christian Science Meetings in Chickering Hall, Boston Massachusetts, they also attended the Sunday school class of Mrs. M.W. Munroe, which was afterwards.

September 5, 1887, Mrs. M.M. Clough, went to the home of her healer Mrs. M.W. Munroe, C.S.B., #5 Chester Ave., Somerville, Massachusetts and received Class Instruction in Christian Science.

In 1888 -- Mrs. and Mrs. Clough had formerly lived in Marlborough (from 1871--1880) and as members of the Baptist Society had many friends there. Mrs. Clough was praying and earnestly seeking for a sign, to show her where the future work was to be as she had decided to leave the Baptist Church, and Fayville, for Boston or Marlborough.

Mrs. Marion E. Angier of Marlborough, a Sunday school teacher and faithful worker in the Baptist Society, asked for treatment and was healed, thus she was the first patient in Marlborough. She interest her neighbors, and they were healed. In course of time she left the Church, became the first Sunday school teacher in the Christian Science Society. Joined the Mother Church 1895. She had difficulty obtaining her letter from the Baptist Church, and opposition from her husband. (Original three)

Mrs. E.B. Davenport, next sent for treatment, was healed and interested others. She was the mother of Hon. William Davenport later the Mayor of Marlborough and a lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts. She joined The Mother Church in June 1894. (original three)

In April 1889, the way had been indicated so plainly, that Mr. Clough purchased a house at 12 Central St., Marlborough, found a position, moved to Marlborough, from Fayville.

Letters of Recommendation were received for the Baptist Church, Marlborough, Mrs. Clough and son, joined, but Mrs. Clough did not. Nov. 19, 1889, Mrs. M.M. Clough was "received into full fellowship with the Church of Christ (Scientist) Boston.

Mrs. Clough invited Mrs. Angier and Mrs. Davenport to her new home in Marlborough on Friday afternoons, to read Science and Health. Gradually others came, and Mrs. Clough advanced the idea, that their meetings were really the beginning of a Society and Church in Marlborough. Soon a change was made to Sunday afternoon.

In 1890, a Reading Room and the sale of literature, began at #12 Central St. In Vol. IX of the C.S. Journal, a card was inserted, under the name of Mrs. M.M. Clough.

In 1891, the healing work had grown in Hudson, Massachusetts, so that Mrs. Clough rode the four miles and held meetings, Sat. afternoons. The home of Mrs. Sarah B. Ware, Mrs. Ella E. Holden and Mrs. Lucy E. Wetherbee were used. Mrs. Ware the first patient, healed in Hudson was persecuted and her Science books burned. Her family were determined to stop her but she was ever true and faithful, joined The Mother Church in Jan. 1894, but was hindered about Church work. Mrs. Holden became a Church worker and Student, with her daughter Jessamine, joined The Mother Church in July 1893 but Mrs. Lucy E. Wetherbee joined in April 1893, interested her large family and her husband Zabine A. Wetherbee (now at Pleasant View Home) became a Practitioner and C.S.B. Mrs. Gertrude E. Waterhouse, sister of Mrs. Wetherbee, offered a large upper room, and the meetings continued there until outgrown. Her husband became interested, Harry S. Waterhouse, the son of a Massachusetts senator. (Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse are alive at 125 West Main St., Georgetown, Massachusetts) Mrs. Harry S. Waterhouse was the First Reader in both the Marlborough and the Hudson Societies.

Mrs. P.R. Clough, having many patients in Hudson opened a Practitioners office on Main St. which continued until about 1899 or when the Church was organized. Mr. Allen E. Balch and Mrs. Ettta M. Balch moved to Hudson from Gleasondale and Mrs. Balch became an advertised Practitioner. (Mrs. Etta M. Balch has been living here in California but is once more in Boston at 87 St. Stephen St.) She knows these people as we are all Munroe students.

December 31, 1892 - Jan. 1893) Mrs. Priscilla R. Clough (her own name) received notice, in a book of "Church Tenets and Rules of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts" that her application for membership had been received and accepted. Three tenets and seven rules were subscribed to; in this re-organized Church.

In 1893, the meetings were held on Sunday mornings, quarterlies were used, each one read aloud, in turn, around the room. The Bible references were copied in a blank book, to same time in looking them up, but Science and Health was read direct from the book. Hymn cards without music were used until Hymnals were purchased. Miss Lillie B. Clough was the first pianist and Irving R. Davis the first Soloist and teacher of the hymns. (Alive in Cambridge Church) Invalids used the stuffed furniture and rocking chairs in the Bay Window, soon making way for others by graduating to the folding chairs, by the first usher Forrest A. Clough. Although the house number was changed from 12 Central St. to 49 Central St. it was the same furnished front room, loved by all as the place of their inspiration and healings. Mrs. Sophronia F. White, member of The Mother Church came, (later a Practitioner and Reader) and Mr. and Mrs. Allen Balch with their four children, drove seven miles from Gleasondale, which was an inspiration to all. These meetings were not advertised in the Journal, as some Sundays the front hall and even the stairs were occupied; then it was, that it was necessary to talk of forming a Society, and moving to a Hall.

1893-1894
The early students already mentioned and Mrs. Stell Howe Webster Mull (alive, 12 Adams St., Marlboro) Mrs. Minnie E. Chick all worked with a will to raise money for the Building of the Original Mother Church. Some made paper pond-lilies and other paper pictures throws, to be sold house to house; one crocheted handkerchief borders, one blind lady Mrs. Carter knit facecloths, others picked blueberries, and the Busy Bee (Lillie) collected canceled stamps.

September 15, 1895, a Society was formerly organized, and a student of Mrs. Munroe, Miss Mary W. Louise Hooper, had a large share in this, looking up rules, etc. (She moved to Marlboro with her mother and was a Practitioner.) Mrs. Harry S. Waterhouse of Hudson, and Mrs. P.R. Clough of Marlboro were chosen Readers, and they repeated the service in Hudson, in the afternoon, after they moved into a Hall. The average attendance in each Society was twenty three.

Jan. 12, 1896, the first meeting was held in G.A.R. Hall, moving from 49 Central St.

Oct. 14, 1896, the first testimonial meeting was held at 49 Central St. Feb. 6, 1897 the first notice was printed in the Marlboro Daily Enterprise of the Christian Science Service. March 24, 1897, Miscellaneous Writings was placed in The Public Library by The Society. Science and Health had already been placed in the Libraries of Northboro, Southboro and Marlboro by Mrs. P.R. Clough.

April 2, 1898, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Marlboro was organized at the home of Mrs. Sophronia F. White.

The names on the Charter and their relation is as follows:
Mrs. Sophronia F. White and her husband, Henry O. White, Mrs. Priscilla R. Clough and her son, Forrest A. Clough, Mrs. Helen J. Marsh and her niece, Miss Hattie Simpson. Mrs. Josephine Rice. (Mother of John Rice, lawyer, Marlboro, alive??) (alive) Miss Simpson is Mrs. F.J. Woodward, Somerset, Mass. (alive) Forrest A. Clough. 377 Winona Ave., Pasadena, Calif.

April 15, 1898
The Finance Committee met at the home of Mrs. Marion E. Angier, and disbanded The Society. (She had moved to Southboro.)

April 27, 1898 the first Christian Science Lecture was given in The Opera House by Mr. William P. McKenzie C.S.B. of Cambridge.

August 12, 1898, a Church Building Lot was secured at the corner of West Main St. and Winthrop St. Fifteen members came to a meeting and subscribed $500. as a first payment, on this Lot. A building containing several apartments stood on this Lot, and Mr. Henry O. White was appointed to repair, rent them and collect rents, until the time came to use the property for Church purposes.

Mr. Henry O. White was elected First Reader, and Mrs. P.R. Clough, Second Reader of the Church, and these two continued until the order came for "rotation in office." A long term!

A Hall was engaged for the "Experience Meeting" held on Tuesday evening. The First notice,
April 23, 1898.

About 1899, Mr. George A. Stacy was healed, as his wife had been several years before. Each served three years as Readers at different times. He was the Superintendent of the Marlboro Waterworks, both faithful and a financial support to the Church.

Miss Jeanie W. MacAuslan, was an early worker, clerk of the Church and is the oldest, active one in Marlboro now.

June 24, 1900, The Christian Science Reading Room, was opened on Sunday afternoon, in the Corey Building, on Main St. Mrs. Henry O. White was the attendant, and visitors were present from Boston, Hudson and Worcester, Mass. Two Science and Healths were sold the first week. The membership at this time was twenty and the attendance about forty.

The Church records from this point on can be supplied by Miss Jeanie W. MacAuslan, 364 Lincoln St., Marlboro, Mass
(Clerk) - -Mrs. Blanche Whitney Walker, 85 Newton St., Marlboro, Mass
(Building Com.) -- Mr. George Stevens, Manager of Telephone Co., Marlboro, Mass.

The Lot was paid for, plans adopted, Church home made by remodeling the House, and the Church dedicated. Hudson Church and Westboro Society, are now all one with Marlboro Church

IMPORTANT INCIDENTS

In 1904, Mrs. M.W. Munroe and Ira O. Knapp endorsed an application of Priscilla R. Clough for instruction in The Board of Education; which was held December 7, 1904. A certificate was received August 10, 1906, signed by Mary B.G. Eddy, President, and Eugene H. Greene, Teacher; thereby becoming a C.S.B. The joy of the Class was interrupted by the passing on of Mr. M.M. Clough on December 9, 1904, which was very sudden. The last few years Mr. M.M. Clough became a regular attendant of the C.S. Church.

An important phase of the healing work took place at the Hospital for the Insane in
Westboro. Several of the inmates were trusted to attend the Services and the Reading Room. The Monitor was given out in The Cottages. One Sunday afternoon, Miss Adalyn Dana Riley, accompanied by Miss Lillie B. Clough, sang Christian Science Hymns and much gratitude and joy was expressed by patients.

Mrs. Emily Bigelow, a Historian, interviewed Mrs. P.R. Clough, the pioneer Christian Scientist, about the history and religion, of C.S. for a "History of Marlborough".

A group of people in South Sudbury were healed, Mrs. Coolidge and her two sons, George and Charles, were the most earnest.

The Literature of The Publishing Society was subscribed to, for thirty-five years, without interruption.

Her whole healing service to The Cause was over forty years, 1888 - 1928, and she was an advertised Practitioner in The C.S. Journal thirty years, 1892 - 1922.

In 1919, Mrs. Clough moved to Pasadena, Calif. bought a home at 293 Cypress Ave. She removed her name from The Journal in 1922 at the time of the difficulties in Boston, but had an application blank, here to have it reinserted, but did not send it in.

She joined First Church of Christ, Scientist, Pasadena in 1924. She testified then, that she had never been ill in bed, a full day after she was healed, but was up and dressed every day, a record that she was justly proud of. I humbly bear witness, that the last day here, she dressed herself, read a section of the Lesson aloud, read a Hymn (162) and went outdoors and brought some flowers in, before resting. She passed on, April 3, 1928.

Her Healings in Marlboro, Mass.

No record of the names of diseases was kept, only the number of treatments and their names. (the persons)

The first absent treatment, was written for, from a lady in Maine. She was full of joy at being healed, and expressed her gratitude by making and sending -- A Rising Sun Quilt!

Mrs. Josephine Rice, was brought out of Spiritualism, and disease, as well as mental distress. Her healing required long and constant care, by both Mrs. P.R. Clough and a C.S. nurse. Her case was watched closely. Many neighbors asked for treatment, because of the success of this healing. Mrs. Rice was a Charter member in 1898. Her son, John E. Rice is now Attorney-at-Law. (Mrs. Mary E. Frees was the nurse, and is living at Pleasant View Home, Concord, New Hampshire.)

Mrs. Harriet Stacy had a remarkable healing. She said that only her husband and the Physician really knew, what suffering she had endured, for many years. She never ceased to be grateful. (1894)

Mr. George A. Stacey, her husband, Superintendent of the Water Works, and a Mason, was a witness to the Truth, he was healed of a stomach trouble, and while under treatment, the tobacco habit left him. About 1899. Both served as Readers. (Miss Edith B. Arey, 36 Peterboro St. Boston Mass, is their niece, and in the Publishing House.)

Mrs. George Nelson of Newton St. was hopelessly ill, and was sent to the Westboro Hospital for mental illness too. Her Pastor watched her healing, after she was well enough to come home, through C.S. help, and acknowledge that Christian Science had done more for her than her Church. She was able to take a pleasure trip to Alaska and return, 1909.

Miss Eda M. Newhall was considered dying, by the family. The Healer asked to be alone and spoke aloud the words of Truth. She heard faintly, then as her name was called she aroused herself. she was raised up, became a Sunday School teacher, Librarian, and then Second Reader. She is now living, with her brother at 32 Monvale Street, in Roslindale Mass. (Mrs. Susie Putnam lives at 10 Gates Avenue Marlboro Mass at whose home this healing took place, and although a non-Scientist, has acknowledged seeing many healings, for her sisters.

(Miss Lillie Bell Clough, C. S.)
Sincerely, [original is signed]

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