Gilroy
’s Christian Scientists began meeting in members’ homes as early
as 1912, and in March 1929 the cornerstone for a church building
was laid at 283 Fifth St. In joyous celebration of the 75th
anniversary of this building members invite South County residents
to participate in a series of special e
vents throughout March, a month of “Rededication to
Service.”
Gilroy’s Christian Scientists began meeting in members’ homes as early as 1912, and in March 1929 the cornerstone for a church building was laid at 283 Fifth St. In joyous celebration of the 75th anniversary of this building members invite South County residents to participate in a series of special events throughout March, a month of “Rededication to Service.”
One feature of Christian Science churches is the presence of a Reading Room. This room is open to the public on a regular basis, providing a peaceful location for members and visitors to read and meditate.
On Saturday, March 13, the Gilroy church will have an Open House from noon to 3 p.m. to showcase the resources available to the public: copies of the Bible; “The Christian Science Monitor,” the award-winning newspaper published by the church; other periodicals; and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the noted textbook written by the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. Other books will be on display, including biographies of Eddy and authorized educational literature.
If weather permits, the Reading Room activities will be held outside on the church grounds. Visitors will be offered free refreshments during the Open House.
On March 20, at 2 p.m. the church will host a free, interactive and conversational lecture at Gavilan College in Chemistry 101 lecture hall. The speaker, David F. Stevens, is a lecturer who has spoken throughout the U.S. and Canada about practical spirituality, prayer, problem-solving and healing. A former teacher, counselor and college dean, Stevens also is a Christian Science Practitioner who carries on healing work and spiritual guidance in Petaluma.
There will be a special Sunday School March 27, on the theme “Blessed Are the Peacemakers.” Students from local churches of all denominations are invited to join in study of biblical stories and practical ideas in workshops grouped by age.
Participants will contribute to the design and construction of a large banner illustrating this theme, which will then be displayed in various locations around town.
The Church of Christ, Scientist, was founded by Mrs. Eddy in 1879 following a healing experience several years earlier. The original church is in Boston, called the Mother Church. There are now about 2,700 branch churches in 66 countries.
Christian Science has no clergy. Each congregation elects readers to lead Sunday worship, which includes lesson-sermons with quotations from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook. There also are some 3000 practitioners who attend to health needs of members, and lecturers like David Stevens are appointed by the Mother Church to give public lessons about Christian Science.
The Gilroy church holds services on Sunday (Worship and Sunday School) at 10 a.m. and Wednesday (testimonial meetings) at 8 p.m. In addition, the regular hours when the Reading Room is open are Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. and Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. when visitors may read, borrow or purchase materials, and an attendant is available to answer questions. For more information call 842-4234.
