What We’re All About
Introduction
We are First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Moline, Illinois. All Christian Science churches and societies, including this one, are branches of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, also known as The Mother Church, located in Boston, Massachusetts. The services and activities of this world-wide church organization are designed to inspire, to encourage, and to explain the practical Science of Christ that heals. The heart of Christian Science is Love. It is about feeling and understanding God’s goodness. We firmly believe in these synonyms for God: Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, Soul, Mind, Principle. The members of this branch church are dedicated to this healing mission: the practical Science of Christ.
Our Core Beliefs
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was asked if Christian Scientists had a religious creed. She answered, “They have not, if by that term is meant doctrinal beliefs” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 496–497). She did provide a few tenets—or key points—that briefly summarize the teachings of Christian Science. They are rooted in the Bible.
Tenets of Christian Science
(from Science and Health)
We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.
We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.
We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.
And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.
Our Local History
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Moline, Illinois
Early students of Christian Science in Moline attended services in Davenport, Iowa, until a Christian Science church was organized in Rock Island, Illinois. We feel deeply grateful that in April 1898, members of the Rock Island church came to Moline and conducted Friday evening testimony meetings in the Art Gallery on Sixteenth Street.
On June 8, 1898, at the request of Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, all Christian Science testimony meetings were changed to Wednesday evening. Since the Art Gallery was not available on that evening, arrangements were made to hold services in the Unitarian Church at the corner of Sixteenth Street and Sixth Avenue. These services were continued until a Christian Science Society was formed on November 20, 1901. The first Sunday service in Moline was held on December 8, 1901.
On Thursday, January 8, 1903, charter members organized and incorporated First Church of Christ, Scientist, Moline, Illinois, as a branch of The Mother Church. Services later were held in Masonic Hall on Third Avenue; in Kerns Hall, Sixth Avenue and Fifteenth Street; then in the Unitarian Church for many years.
When this church was no longer available, the membership moved to Turner Hall, corner of Sixth Avenue and Fourteenth Street, and remained there until 1922, when the necessity for building a church edifice became apparent. Land was purchased in June and excavation started on August 14, 1922. The cornerstone was laid early on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1922, and the first service was held in the basement on that day. Services were continued in the basement until Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1923, when the first service was held in the auditorium.
Our Reading Room in the early years was maintained in the various church locations; later in the Reliance Building on Fifth Avenue upstairs; then upstairs in the First National Bank Building. In January of 1952 the Reading Room moved to the ground floor at 1531 Sixth Avenue, a former jewelry store location. First Church of Christ, Scientist, Moline, dedicated its church edifice at 1401 Sixteenth Street with services conducted in the morning and afternoon on Sunday, July 11, 1943. The members of this church gratefully acknowledge receipt of the final payment on our indebtedness from the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker Eddy.
The Reading Room moved to 3203 Twenty-third Avenue in 1987. Moline changed the name of Twenty-third Avenue to Avenue of the Cities in April 2002. As the church edifice on Sixteenth Street was too large for our congregation, the building was sold in May 2006 and the location on Avenue of the Cities became the central location for services and the Reading Room.
In January 2018, the church and Reading Room moved to a more flexible and comfortable site at 5310 Avenue of the Cities, Suite A.
Why Study Christian Science?
With the long list of demands one may face in their schedule each day, why set time aside to study Christian Science?
Christian Science explains how the universe works. It explains how to find health, how to live happy, how to demonstrate abundance, how to get along with others, and how to live with meaning and purpose.
If you face lack, Christian Science takes you to supply. If you face disease, Christian Science reveals health. If you face conflict, strife, and despair, Christian Science leads you to resolution, peace, and love.
Christian Science is an all-encompassing truth that explains the unreality of evil, the omnipotence of good, and our rights to the best God has to offer. When we honestly live what it teaches, we experience its blessings.
When you study Christian Science, you are taking the fast route to success that matters. You are doing what helps the most.
More Useful Information
At our services you will hear selections read from two books, the Holy Bible, and Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy’s book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Together, these books are the pastor of this world-wide church organization. We find our pastor to be an infallible guide as we seek to uplift, encourage and heal in the spirit of our dear master, Christ Jesus.
Sunday Services
The same sermon you will hear on Sunday is being read in many languages by readers in every Christian Science church and society around the globe. But, regardless of the language or the place, the spiritual message of the Christian Science pastor is the same: that God loves and cares for every one of us, and that an understanding of this love brings healing to our lives.
Sunday School
Children and young people up to the age of 20 are lovingly welcomed in our Sunday School which convenes at the same time as our Sunday service. Here, the students are taught the Bible lessons so important to a good foundation for spiritual growth.
Wednesday Services
We also conduct a less formal, weekly Wednesday evening testimony meeting where you have the opportunity to share gratitude and thanksgiving, to hear a special Bible lesson and to share in the joy of singing. After short readings from our pastor, members of the congregation are invited to share testimonies of spiritual healing and inspiration gained from their study and practice of Christian Science.
Annual Thanksgiving Day Service
Please join us every Thanksgiving Day at 10:30 AM to give thanks for all of our blessings and to worship our Lord on this special holiday.
Christian Science Reading Room
Our Christian Science Reading Room/bookstore is open to the public at various times throughout the week. Find out more about this great resource and introduction to Christian Science by clicking here.
Conclusion
T
The services and activities of our church can help an individual get a better understanding of God, Christ Jesus, goodness, life, sacrament, salvation, and more. We hope you will join in our journey for spiritual wisdom, understanding and healing.