| Christian Science was first introduced to Salem,
Oregon, on December, 1888, by Mrs. Lou R. Hatch, who had been
healed of tuberculosis through prayer. Meetings were held initially
in the homes of Mrs. Hatch, and of Sarah Wilson at the corner
of Chemeketa and Liberty streets. Later the meetings were moved
to a hall at the corner of Court and Liberty streets.
In January, 1896, the First Church of Christ Scientist, Salem,
Oregon, was officially organized while the congregation continued
to meet in the hall. The Second Church of Christ Scientist,
Salem, Oregon, was organized in 1900, and in 1901, purchased
a lot on the south side of Chemeketa St. between High and
Liberty streets. Here, the first Christian Science Church
to be built in the state of Oregon was constructed. It was
dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1903.
On November 9, 1905, the two Salem churches laid down their
respective charters and the two congregations reorganized
under the name of First Church of Christ Scientist, Salem,
Oregon. Until December 27, 1923, their meeting site was the
church edifice on the south side of Chemeketa St. between
High and Liberty.
On October 4, 1923, this church accepted from Mrs. Sarah
A. Wilson a deed to the property on the northeast corner of
Chemeketa and Liberty, with the understanding that a new church
building be erected on the property and that the original
church building be moved to the new location and be used as
the Sunday School. Its porch and entrance with pillars, which
served as the street entrance to the Sunday School, were kept
intact. The cornerstone of the new church edifice on Chemeketa
St. was laid on August 23, 1924. The first church service
in the auditorium was held in February, 1925. A dedicatory
service was held on December 29, 1940.
The Chemeketa St. property was sold in September, 1962, and
demolition of the building provided space for development
of the Nordstrom Mall. Meanwhile, church members had purchased
property at High and Kearney Streets from Willamette University
for the purpose of constructing a new church. Construction
of the building at 935 High Street, across from the Bush Pasture
park rose garden, was started on May 27, 1963. A member of
the church, Harold Robertson, was foreman for construction
of the church and was assisted by many members who volunteered
their services. Mr. Ralph Bonadurer, an architect from Poland,
designed the building. He included a beautiful round stained
glass window taken from the ceiling of the old church. The
pews came from California, the stone from the state of Washington,
and the Moeller Organ came from Forest Grove, Oregon.
The cornerstone at 935 High St. was laid August 24, 1963.
In it, the King James Bible and the complete set of Mary Baker
Eddy’s writings were replaced from the old cornerstone.
Also included were a Christian Science Hymnal, current copies
of Christian Science periodicals, and the latest church bylaws.
The first services on High Street were held on October 20,
1963, and dedicatory services were held May 22, 1966.
Compiled by Trudy E. Anderson, Executive Board Chairman for
the First Church of Christ Scientist, 935 High Street, Salem,
Oregon, 97302.
|
