IN June, 1898, about two years after Christian Science was first brought to Paris, a church was organized. For seven years, except during the period when a hall in the Hotel Continental was used, the services in English and French were held in private rooms, part of the time in a remote locality. In 1905, when the inexpediency of continuing them under such conditions became apparent, a small public hall in the avenue d'Antin was secured. The idea of having a church edifice of their own had never been lost sight of by the members, but at the time of the building of the extension of The Mother Church, the greater privilege of cooperating with that work was welcomed, and the entire building fund which had been collected was forwarded to Boston. This was followed by other contributions, and although a further move was made in 1907 to Washington Palace, 14 rue Magellan, one of the largest and most desirable halls, situated in the best quarter of the city, this was and is regarded only as a step on the way to a permanent church home.
In 1905 the French services held on Sunday and Wednesday were suspended, but in February, 1912, it seemed necessary to resume the Sunday services in the French language, and to make some arrangement by which the French friends who spoke no English could share the blessings of the Wednesday evening meetings. Now the selections read from the Bible and from Science and Health at the Wednesday evening meetings are repeated in French, and testimonies are given in the two languages. In the Sunday school which was opened in 1910 there are classes for French as well as for English-speaking children. The greatly increased attendance and attention apparent at the eight lectures which have been delivered, are also very encouraging evidence of the ground gained year by year. Since the reading-room at 194 rue de Rivoli, opposite the beautiful Tuileries Gardens, was opened in 1908, the work has more than doubled, and is especially interesting, owing to the number of travelers from all parts of the world who visit this room. Besides the large amount of literature distributed at the lectures, copies of The Christian Science Monitor are regularly sent to many of the best hotels and to the reading-rooms of several important banks.
It should be particularly noted, in considering the work of this church, that Christian Science had to be introduced in France among a people who not only do not know English, but who are almost totally ignorant of the Bible. Indeed, Bibles are not kept, as a rule, by the French booksellers. Instances could be cited of the impossibility of obtaining copies by persons living in distant parts of the country, as well as others, who are unaware of the existence of our reading-room or of those societies in Paris formed expressly to promote the circulation of the Bible. As all the work of the loyal followers of Mrs. Eddy's teachings must be based on the Bible, which she acknowledges to have been her only guide to the discovery of Christian Science, the importance of a knowledge of this book cannot be overestimated.
