AMONG the large cities which early in the history of the movement were regarded as desirable centers for the propaganda of Christian Science, was New York, and in this metropolis, as in the larger cities of the middle West, the need of more than a single church soon became apparent. It was in October, 1891, that a student of Mrs. Eddy, acting under her direction, took the initiatory step which resulted in the incorporation of Second Church of Christ, Scientist, New York City. The first business meeting was held Oct. 23, and sixteen persons became members at that time.
The first service was held in a private residence on West 34th street, but a move was soon made to a large room in Carnegie Music Hall, where services were conducted for several Sundays, until, in September, 1892, permanent and larger quarters were obtained in Hodgson Hall, corner Fifth avenue and 45th street. Here the church remained for four years, and grew to a membership of fifty With an attendance of double that number. It was here, too, that the building fund for a church edifice was started, though the project did not assume an active form until several years later. From Hodgson Hall the church moved in September, 1896, to Scottish Rite Hall, corner of Madison avenue and 29th street, and worshiped there nearly five years. During this period the movement for a permanent home began to take definite shape, and in looking about for a suitable location for building purposes, the present site on Central Park West and 68th street was finally selected.
Ground was broken in December, 1898, and early in the morning of Easter Sunday, April 2, 1899, the corner-stone was laid. Later it was felt that the structure as first planned would not be capacious enough, and an additional strip of land twenty feet wide was secured in the rear, thus providing the necessary room for the present building. On Easter Sunday, 1901, the church was opened, and has continued to be open from that time for regular services, with a steadily increasing attendance. At the opening services there was read a most inspiring letter from Mrs. Eddy, which seemed especially applicable to the occasion, and was as follows:—
