How We Began
Christian Science traces back to 1866, when Mary Baker Eddy discovered the spiritual laws of healing that Christ Jesus practiced and taught. She published Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures in 1875, and in 1879 founded the Church of Christ, Scientist — reorganized in 1892 as The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. As the movement grew, branch churches sprang up in cities across the country and around the world, Madison among them.
Founding of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Madison
Christian Scientists have gathered together in Madison for well over a hundred years. Worship began around 1910, when a small group of early Christian Scientists met at Gates of Heaven, a Madison synagogue, before building a church of their own.
Early Years
By 1929, that group of pioneers had built a church on Wisconsin Avenue, becoming First Church of Christ, Scientist, Madison. That original building still stands today as a historical landmark in the city, even though our congregation has since relocated within the city.
Growth and Development
After selling the Wisconsin Avenue building, First Church moved locations several times. Later in the 20th century, a second congregation, Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Madison, was also established in the city, meeting first on Monroe Street and later on Midvale Boulevard. By the end of the century, the memberships of First and Second Church came together in a merger, and together purchased the building on Segoe Road that continues to be our home today.
Our Reading Room has a history of its own, moving through several downtown locations over the years — including State Street, Pinckney Street, and Monroe Street — before moving into the church building itself in 2012.
Our Building
Today, First Church is located at 610 South Segoe Road, on Madison’s west side — the building our combined congregation purchased when First and Second Church merged at the close of the 20th century.
Today
First Church continues to welcome all of Madison to explore Christian Science, through Sunday services, our Reading Room, and Sunday School. Learn more about visiting or read about who we are today.
Timeline
- c. 1910 — Christian Scientists begin gathering in Madison at Gates of Heaven synagogue
- 1929 — First Church of Christ, Scientist, Madison builds its own church on Wisconsin Avenue
- Later 20th century — Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Madison is established, meeting on Monroe Street and later Midvale Boulevard
- Late 1990s — First and Second Church merge and purchase the Segoe Road building
- 2012 — The Reading Room moves from downtown into the church building