About the Church
A worldwide embrace
We are a global family committed to following the inspiring, practical, healing, and transforming Christianity which Jesus taught. This includes embracing the world, each other, and you.
In churches | More activities | Organization |
In churches
Church relationship with Christian Science
The Church began as people started to read, practice, and be healed by ideas in the main texts on Christian Science, the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Readers wanted to discuss what they were learning, to share their healing results with each other, and to hold simple worship services. In 1879, Eddy established what became The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. While any reader of Science and Health can learn about and practice Christian Science, Eddy considered the church to be "the mouthpiece of Christian Science" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 247). more about Christian Science
Global membership
Church members come from more than 130 countries and all walks of life. We are a worldwide family, committed to Christian Science and helping others. You don't have to be a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, to attend church or practice Christian Science and be benefited by it. People may join The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, and they may join local "branch" churches, societies, or informal groups. There are local, democratically run branches in over 75 countries, made up of both members and non-members of The Mother Church, who join together to worship and bless their communities. more about membership
Pastor
The pastor of this Church is two books: The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. In church services and meetings in Christian Science branch churches throughout the world, democratically elected lay members of the congregation read aloud from the pastor. The sermon they read on Sundays is a Bible Lesson, a compilation of texts from the Bible and Science and Health on a particular topic that Christian Scientists around the world study throughout the week preceding the Sunday service. more about the pastor
Churches, societies, and groups
You’re welcome to attend any local Church of Christ, Scientist or smaller organizations called Christian Science Societies, located around the world. They’re all branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and can be found in over 75 countries. There may also be informal groups of Christian Scientists who meet regularly in your area. Locate a branch near you. more about churches, societies, and groups.
Sunday services and Wednesday meetings
At a Sunday church service there is music, singing, scriptural readings, prayer, and a sermon based on a weekly Bible Lesson. The service is conducted by two lay Readers. At a Wednesday testimony meeting, readings from the Bible and Science and Health will be related to a theme and selected to comfort, inspire, and heal. You’ll also hear people share insights, experiences, and healings they've had as a result of their prayers and their study of Christian Science. You can get a feeling for these services by listening to the Sunday online church service and Wednesday online testimony meeting provided by The Mother Church. more about services and meetings
Sunday School
If you're under 20, Sunday School is about discovering how spirituality is relevant in your life—how it fits into every day and shows up in everything you love to do. It’s an environment where teens, youth, kids, and infants can feel totally supported and loved. You can find healing and ask even the hardest questions as you’re figuring out how to apply Bible-based, spiritual truths to your own experiences. It’s a chance to talk with peers under the age of 20 and look for meaningful answers to all the things that might come up in conversation and life. more about Sunday School
What's near you
Search the online directory here or in the right column of this webpage to find churches, people, and other resources near you. more about what's near you
For information in multiple languages, visit our international section.
More activities
Christian Science publications
Along with publishing the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Church publishes several periodicals: The Christian Science Monitor, a multi-platform news publication which includes a weekly print magazine, a continuously updated news website, and a daily news briefing; a weekly Bible Lesson; the Christian Science Sentinel; The Christian Science Journal; and The Herald of Christian Science. more about publications
Reading Rooms
To explore spirituality, prayer, and healing, visit a Christian Science Reading Room. They are public bookstores for anyone on a quest for spiritual understanding. They are open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ways of life. You'll find an uplifting and welcoming atmosphere and helpful librarians in any one of them. more about Reading Rooms
Public talks and speakers (Board of Lectureship)
Looking for inspiration, healing, and practical ideas? Discover lectures given by Christian Science practitioners and teachers. Lecturers from around the world share how anyone can use Christian Science in their lives to find healing solutions. Lectures are available online here in video format as well as downloadable audio files. Languages include: English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese. Find an upcoming lecture or watch a past lecture online. more about lectures
Classes and teachers (Board of Education)
As your study of Christian Science deepens, you may be interested in Christian Science Primary class instruction. This is a twelve-session course in spiritual healing for those who have been inspired by the ideas in Science and Health and who have a heartfelt desire to help others through prayer. It’s a unique and precious opportunity to dig further into your relationship with God. The class is taught by authorized Christian Science teachers. more about classes and teachers
Youth activities
Christian Scientists worldwide offer a wide range of opportunities and activities for young adults, teens, kids, and infants. These include Sunday School, support for active church membership, college and university organizations, internships, and summer camps, plus national and international conferences including youth summits. A sampling of groups, activities, and these links for youth are listed on our youth website, time4thinkers.com. more about youth
Serving others
Additional activities vary widely from church to church, and may include community service, care committees, chaplain services in correctional facilities, etc. Of course church members may also serve individually in their communities through involvement with and contributions to many public charities and causes. Most of all, members are encouraged to pray daily for their communities and the world. Christian Science practitioners and Christian Science nurses are not sponsored by the church, but are available to assist anyone, no matter their background or affiliation.
Church Alive
What makes all these activities--inside and out of any church--really come alive? Join in the open conversation amongst church members, attendees, and anyone who is interested in church. We look forward to exploring together the spiritual basis and awakening impact of Church. more about Church Alive
Organization
The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist
You will always be warmly welcomed at The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879, it is world headquarters for the Church of Christ, Scientist. You can attend online and in person our Sunday church services, Wednesday testimony meetings, and Sunday School. Feel free to stop by the Christian Science Reading Room, take a tour of the church, attend other public events, or just spend some time outdoors on the Christian Science Plaza. more about The Mother Church
Christian Science Plaza
The Christian Science Plaza is a large, tastefully landscaped open space in the heart of Boston. The Mother Church, the Christian Science Publishing Society, and several other buildings sit on the Plaza. It is surrounded by gardens and features a reflecting pool (approximately 100 feet by 700 feet) and fountain. The community and visitors are welcomed to a variety of activities that occur on the Plaza including Opening Our Doors, First Night, organ concerts, and public talks about Christian Science. You may also want to visit The Mary Baker Eddy Library and Mapparium® which are also situated on the Plaza. The Plaza is currently undergoing a revitalization process that has involved significant collaboration with the surrounding community. more about the Plaza
Church news
The church regularly posts news for all of its members, some of which is also available for the public. online church news
Annual Meeting
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, holds an Annual Meeting each June which includes reports from the Church officers and the worldwide field. It is also open to the public. View a video of the most recent meeting. more about Annual Meeting
Church structure
The Church of Christ, Scientist and its officers are governed by the By-Laws in the Church Manual. Church officers officially appointed by The Christian Science Board of Directors include a President, Clerk, Treasurer, and two Readers at The Mother Church. The Board also appoints members of the Board of Education (Christian Science teachers), the Board of Lectureship (public speakers), and military chaplains. Also according to the By-laws in the Church Manual, the Board of Directors fill any vacancy occurring on that Board. Other church roles which are not appointed by the Board include Christian Science practitioners, Christian Science nurses, and volunteer chaplains at correctional facilities. Global Christian Science churches and societies appoint their own officers, readers, Sunday School teachers, Reading Room librarians, etc. Everyone shares the same pastor, the Bible and Science and Health. more about church structure
Relationship with other faiths
Mary Baker Eddy writes, "A genuine Christian Scientist loves Protestant and Catholic, D.D. and M.D., — loves all who love God, good; and he loves his enemies" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p.4). Many Christian Scientists are involved in interfaith and ecumenical activities in their communities. For an example of what those relationships might be like, refer to the blogs and discussions in the ecumenical and interfaith community on this site.
Press and legislative contacts
The division of the Christian Science church which handles media relations and legislative issues is known as the Committee on Publication. Along with the manager and spokesperson in Boston, there are 135 spokespeople in local regions in the U.S. and in other countries around the world. visit the press room
Church history and future
Dedication of the Extension of The Mother Church
The First Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The church,its officers, and members will always be governed by the By-Laws in the Church Manual. However, the Manual is a very short, public book, and Christian Science churches and societies are democratically run. This provides for transparency and sufficient flexibility to adapt to the needs of humanity as the church goes forward. more church history