Sunday, November 8, 1896, witnessed the fruition of the hopes and anticipations of the Christian Scientists of Rock Island, Ill., in the completion and dedication to the worship of God of their new church building, beautifully situated on Twenty-third Street near the geographical centre of the city. The dedicatory services were held at 10.30 A. M. and consisted of the lesson sermon (the Dedication of the Temple) set apart for that day, the references being read as usual, together with an organ voluntary, a vocal solo and the reading of an historical sketch and letters of congratulation. The following hymns, viz., Nos. 17, 161 and 164, were sung by the congregation. The attendance was very large, numbering over two hundred. The Church Roll numbers thirty-eight as charter members.
The Christian Scientists of Rock Island up to last Sunday have been worshiping with their brethren at Davenport, Ia., at Knights of Pythias Hall in the latter city, in the beginning attending both Sunday Service and the week-day meeting there, but on Oct. 16, 1895, it was decided to hold week-day meetings at both cities, since which time this has been done.
On April 17 of the current year a body of Christian Scientists, about twenty all told, met at the home of one of their number to consider the advisability of organizing a local society in Rock Island and building a church. After much discussion it was decided to go ahead, and at a meeting held on May 1 a subscription list was opened and sufficient voluntary offerings were tendered to warrant an immediate beginning. Thereupon a building committee of five was appointed, who secured an architect and submitted plans, which, after some revision, were adopted and the committee given plenary powers to build and equip the church. The contract was let in August and on the twentieth of that month the cellar was excavated and construction commenced. The contract called for the delivery of the church on November 16 but as November 8 was fixed by the Committee on International Sunday School Lessons for a lesson on the Dedication of the Temple, and being from the same text chosen by Mrs. Eddy for the dedication of the mother church at Boston, it was thought that that would be a most appropriate occasion for the dedication of our temple, and therefore upon the representation of the Building Committee, the contractor (to whom much credit is due for his courtesy and the manner of his work) pushed the building so that the church was ready for occupancy on November 8 and the service was held as above stated.
