CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 127, 31 May 1935, Page 14

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

NEW CHURCH BUILDING

SITE IN BOULCOTT STREET

A start is to be made next week on the demolition of Spiller's Hall, in Boultcott Street, in preparation for the erection of the New Church of Christ, Scientist. The contract for the new church has been let to Messrs. Christian and Neilsen, Ltd., for £5400. The architect is Mr. N. R. Lightbody. The demolition will be carried out by Messrs. Couper and Goulden. The new church will have a frontage of 44ft 6in and a depth of 90ft, and will be constructed of reinforced concrete.

Christian Science meetings were first held in Wellington in February, 1910, at' the residence of Madame Cornier, 21 Buller Street, those present being Madame Cornier, Mrs. Catherine J. Boyd, and Mrs. S. Allan. From June 21, 1911, meetings were held 'in the apartments of Mr. and Mrs. William Metz at the New Commercial Hotel, and from October 4, 1911, at their home at 117 Grant Road. The average attendance at these meetings was nine. From November 23, 1911, meetings were held in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, the average number present being sixteen. On April 17, 1912, a Christian Science Society was formed with a membership of fourteen. Subsequently it was found that the society was not properly constituted, and the name of the organisation was changed to The Christian Scientists of Wellington. Later it was decided to obtain a room to be used solely for the purpose of holding Christian Science services, and to provide accommodation for a reading room. In November, 1912, a suitable room was secured in Barnett's Buildings, 94 Willis Street. In September, 1913, the existing organisation was formed into a properly-constituted ; Christian Science Society. It was soon found necessary to secure larger j premises, and at a meeting held on' August 4, 1915, it was decided to rent! a hall in Boulcott Street. In April, 1920, it was decided to purchase the premises. These premises have been altered and renovated from time to time, and are still used as the church edifice of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Wellington.

1 On April 12, 1921, the status of the society was changed to that of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Wellington, New Zealand. On November 18, 1928J the property being free from debt,,-a special dedicatory service was held. In November, 1929, the reading room which had previously been, situated, in Bpulcott Street was removed to a" more suitable, location in Courtenay Chambers, Courtenay Place. A salaried librarian' was appointed in 1928.' .■•■'.- . :.:■■;.

The Sunday school was opened .in 1916, and the number of scholars on the roll, at the present time, is about 100. The first lecture in "Wellington on Christian Science was given, in 1914, and the growth of the movement and the interest evinced by the public is evidenced by the fact that the annual lecture given by the church is attended by about 1900 people. <-;'.-

Amongst the earliest workers in the church were Mr. William Metz and his wife, Mrs. Alice K. Metz/s Mr. Metz, who was associated with sin' American business house, and Mrs. Metz returned to America in 1913 or 1914. Christian Science had then become firmly established, due in a large measure to their efforts.