Geneva Christian Science Church celebrates 100 years in sanctuary

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Geneva has been in its current sanctuary for 100 years this year. They will hold a celebratory event Sunday, Oct. 2.

The one-hour event will be held at 2 p.m. at the church building, and will include talks and reminiscences on the history of the church, 111 S. Second St., as well as a recital of music from the church's Moller pipe organ. The program will be followed by a reception at 3 p.m. at the Christian Science Reading Room, 127 S. First St.

The Christian Science group began meeting in rented halls in Geneva in 1894, and laid the cornerstone for the foundation of the current building in May 1916. The first services in the structure were held the following year.

The church building itself is a converted barn which was moved from the neighboring Burton family property. Research provided by the Geneva History Museum indicates that early members of the church took pleasure in the fact that, as the Bible indicates Christ was born in a stable, so the house of worship they built was, literally, a stable. Photos of the barn and of early members of the church will be shown at the centennial event.

"As one of the downtown churches in Geneva, we're grateful to have been a part of our town's history for the last century, and we look forward to many more years of opening our doors and providing spiritual support to the community," said the church's Executive Board chairwoman, Elizabeth Richards.

The Geneva church is a branch of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, also known as The Mother Church. Mary Baker Eddy, the discover and founder of Christian Science, said that The Mother Church, which was established in 1879, was "designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing."

All are welcome to attend the celebration Oct. 2.