In the last decades of the nineteenth century, when Christian Science was becoming established in all the principal eastern cities, the far West was not behind in the investigation of this new teaching. Among these western inquirers was San Jose, Cal., and it is significant, as showing the quiet yet sure tenacity with which this truth spreads, that its study was taken up in this city by two different groups of people, and was continued for some months, without either group knowing of the other's existence.
About 1885 a resident of San Jose, while traveling in the East, heard of Christian Science, and before returning home went to Boston and received instruction of Mrs. Eddy. Returning to San Jose, a few friends were interested in the new teaching, and in 1886 a class was taught in this student's home. Sunday services were held in a private house, and subsequently a number of others received instruction. In 1889 or 1890, while these people were carrying on their study and services, and proving what they learned, another little group who had become interested in Christian Science through some of Mrs. Eddy's published works, invited one of her students in a neighboring city to give a course of lectures on Christian Science in San Jose. A number of friends were invited to join them in listening to these lectures; and subsequently it was arranged to have another student come to San Jose each Sunday, and address them on Christian Science in a little hall hired for the purpose. In the months following, services, both Sunday and mid-week, were held in a private home, with twenty or thirty in attendance, until finally, being joined by the first-mentioned band of students, they moved into Odd Fellows' hall. From here, their numbers constantly increasing, they moved in 1897 to Louise hall on Second street, where they remained until a church edifice was erected in 1905.
Meanwhile, in October, 1896, First Church of Christ, Scientist, San Jose, Cal., was formally organized with twenty charter members, and there has been a steady and healthful increase of the membership from that date. All this time one thing alone was responsible for the devotion of these people to this new teaching and the rapid increase in their numbers; namely, the "works following," for what they heard and read of Christian Science was healing and regenerating them. Several began to devote themselves entirely to the practise of this healing truth, and one and all tried to practise what they knew. On this sound basis the church was started, and has continued.
