The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘Time is not a factor in your life’
Religious lecture to mark First Church of Christ, Scientist, 100th anniversary
MIDDLETOWN >> In celebration of the 100th birthday of the city’s First Church of Christ, Scientist, there will be a free public lecture at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at 63 Broad St.
The lecture by Dave Hohle, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, “Time is not a factor in your life!” will explore how God-inspired thoughts bring freedom from limits associated with time and age, according to a press release.
Two individuals from Strong, Maine, were instrumental in the founding of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Middletown, according to a history prepared by the organization, which includes the following:
“In 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shaw began studying Christian Science after a healing. At the time, both were active in the Methodist Church in Strong, Maine. Mr. Shaw was superintendent of the Sunday school. It became apparent that they should withdraw from the church to which they were deeply attached. In 1910, Mr. Shaw was offered, and he accepted, the position of superintendent of buildings and grounds at Wesleyan University, Middletown.
“At that time, there was no Christian Science organization in Middletown. However, Mr. Shaw met Mr. C. Edward Graves, a member of the faculty of Wesleyan and some other Christian Scientists in the area.
“Mr. and Mrs. Shaw extended an invitation to all of those who were interested to meet at their home, 72 Cross St. At the meeting, it was arranged that a service be held the following Sunday morning, Oct. 29, 1911, at this same place. Eighteen attended this — the first Christian Science service held in Middletown.
The house was located where now the southeast corner of the Olin Library of Wesleyan University sits.
Members, who began looking for a church home. learned about a property at the corner of College and Broad Streets that was for sale for $7,000. The society’s building fund had a balance of $150.
“At a meeting of the Board of Directors, a motion to purchase this property was made and carried, the three women on the board voting for, and the two men against the purchase,” according to the release.
“Within a few days after the decision was made to purchase this property, a check for $2,500 was received, the gift of Mrs. Helen C. Webster. Mrs. Webster herself was not a student of Christian Science. Her interest was aroused through her daughter, Miss Mary D. Webster, who helped to establish the organization in Middletown.
On Oct. 13, 1916, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Middletown, was incorporated and the property purchased.
According to the church, the Middlesex County Historical Society reports that on May 3, 1830, Randolph Pease purchased a parcel of land from the estate of Matthew T. Russell, where he built a mansion in which he and his family lived.
“When the Episcopal Church, which stood at the southeast of what is now Union Park was sold, Randolph Pease bought it. He had carefully taken down and used much of the lumber from that church in building this mansion, which itself has become a church edifice.”
On the first Sunday in March, 1917, services were held in the new church.
When all loans were paid off three years after the purchase, the church was dedicated on Dec. 5, 1920, the historical account reads.
“A gift to the organ fund by two church members made possible the purchase of an Estey organ in the fall of 1921. In 1926, church pews were installed to replace the original chairs. The purchase of the pews was made possible by a gift from a group of Christian Scientists who at one time held services in Higganum.”
In the early 1950s, the Broad Street addition was constructed, according to the release.