CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

On New Years Day, 1899, ten people interested in Christian Science met in Mt. Pleasant and organized the First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Mt. Pleasant. Services were held on the second floor of a building on North Jefferson owned by Senator Harlan. Mr. M.V. Northrup was the First Reader and Mrs. T.L. Smith Second Reader. An evening service was also held. Those in attendance were Mrs. E.S. Osgood, Mrs. T.L. Smith’s son and daughter, Mrs. E.K. Stall and daughter Mary, Mrs. E.M. Wickersham, Mrs. A. Anderson, Jennie Neal, May Snider, and Mrs. G.H. Lee.

Mrs. Robert Todd (Mary Harlan) Lincoln donated the organ, Mrs. Northrup chairs, Mrs. Osgood a stove, Mrs. Stall rugs, Mrs. Anderson a lamp and the first month’s rent.

In the year 1900, William Saunder’s will left $2,000.00 to the church “for the purpose of helping to pay for a house to hold meetings in”.

Articles of Incorporation were filed on May 21, 1901. Those articles were amended in 1940, changing the name to Christian Science Society of Mt. Pleasant.

The congregation purchased the lot on North Jefferson, now occupied by the church, for $800.00 in 1901. The deed reserved the right to remove a barn then standing on the lot. The church building was completed in 1902.

Church membership grew with the following members added: Mr. and Mrs. H. Eckey, Mr. and Mrs. W. Eckey, Mrs. C.F. Kneen, Miss Lillian Saunders, Miss S. Saunders, Mrs. S.E. Requa, C.M. Snyder, Miss Mary J. Snyder, Mrs. C.E. Snyder, Miss Sara Smith, Miss Bertha Smith, and Mrs. Gargrave (sic).

The Sunday School was organized in 1903.

Remodeling of the church began in 1940, and the Society was free and clear of debt by 1943.


Note: This typed document – “Christian Science” (with unknown author and unknown date) – was found in the files of Henry County Heritage Trust, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The deed for “purchasing the lot on North Jefferson”, can be found in the Auditor’s office in the Henry County Courthouse, Transfer Book “B”, page 18.

Christian Science meeting in the front room upstairs over the Misses Harrison’s millinery store, across west of the Harlan house. Services at 10:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Subject: “Everlasting Punishment.” Devotional meeting Wednesday at 7:30. A cordial invitation is extended to the public.

(“Mount Pleasant Daily News”, April 22, 1899, page 1)

Christian Science: - In the front room over the Misses Harrison’s millinery store. Sunday 10:45 a.m. Subject: “Soul”. The public is cordially invited.

(“Mount Pleasant Daily News”, August 5, 1899, page 4)

SCIENTISTS INCORPORATE.

Find It Necessary in Order to avail Themselves of the W.G. Saunders Bequest.

The members of the Christian Science church of this city have filed articles of incorporation with the county recorder. This was made necessary in order to take advantage of the large bequest of $2,000 left them by the late W.G. Saunders.

The association organized as the “Frist Church of Christ Scientist,” of Mt. Pleasant. The charter members of the corporation are: Mrs. Mary V. Northrop, First Reader; Miss Mary Snyder, Second Reader; Mrs. E.M. Wickersham, Treasurer; Miss Berthas Smith, Clerk; Mrs. Osgood, Mrs. Stall, Mrs. Sarah J. Smith, Miss Mary Snyder and Mrs. Requa, Trustees.

(Mount Pleasant Daily News, May 23, 1901, page 1)

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

…On New Year’s Day 1899 10 people interested in Christian Science met in Mt. Pleasant and organized the First Church of Christ Scientist. Services were held on the second floor of a store building.

Articles of incorporation were filed on May 21, 1901. These articles were amended in 1940, changing the name to Christian Science Society of Mt. Pleasant.

In the year 1900 [sic: December 3, 1899], William Saunders died and through his will gave $2,000 to the church “for the purpose of helping to pay for a house to hold meetings in.”

The congregation purchased the lot on North Jefferson, now occupied by the church, for $800 in 1901. The deed reserved the right to remove a barn then standing on the lot. The church building was completed in 1902.

Remodeling of the building began in 1940 and the Society was free and clear of debt by 1943.

Mrs. Theodore Eckey is first reader, Mrs. Charles Decker, second reader, at the present time. Readers, who are in charge of the weekly services, are elected by the membership of the church.

(“Mt. Pleasant News”, January 26, 1973, page 4)