The first Christian Science service in Brainerd was held in a rented hall in the Columbus Block in the spring of 1902 under the auspices of a group of students interested in the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy. A Sunday School was also established at that time.

In 1906, the meeting place was moved to the Cale hall with a subsequent move to the Iron Exchange building in 1915. The organization continued to hold services there until 1930 when its present church was built.

As early as February, 1903, a building fund was established and a site for a church edifice was sought. It was not until 1905, however, that a lot at Eighth and Kingwood was purchased. This was later sold and a lot on the corner of Eighth and Kingwood Streets, acquired in 1923, was chosen as the location for the church.

In addition to regular Sunday service, Wednesday evening meetings were instituted in July, 1907. In December of that year, the group formally organized as a Christian Science Society. The first public lecture on Christian Science was delivered in Brainerd in December, 1909, in the old opera house.

A period of growth and increased interest resulted in the opening of a reading room in the Iron Exchange building on Sept. 1,1916. While its location was changed several times in the years that followed, the reading room never ceased to function as a public service. It is now located in the old First National Bank building, 209 South Sixth Street.

Sufficient progress having been made, the Society in July, 1929, received permission from The Mother Church, (The First Church of Christ Scientist, in Boston, Mass.,) to incorporate as First Church of Christ Scientist, of Brainerd, Minnesota.

In November of that year, preparation for the building of a church edifice was started. There followed a busy winter for the church building committee, but in May, 1930, construction work was actually launched. The building was completed in September and the opening service held on Oct. 1, 1930.

It is the custom of Christian Science churches to dedicate their edifices only when they are entirely free of debt. Through the members and the assistance of the trustees under the will of Mary Baker Eddy, the indebtedness of the church was completely discharged in May, 1941. Formal dedication services were held on Sunday, June 29, 1941.

In recording the footsteps of the Christian Science organization in this community, acknowledgment must be made of the consecrated work of those who organized the society and those who later carried forward the work of the church.

Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).