Interest in Christian Science in Grand Island, Neb., can be traced for its beginning back to January, 1886. At this time a practitioner was called to Grand Island to treat a case, expecting to stay only two or three days, but remained five months on account of work to be done. Much good healing was done at this time. Just a year later another practitioner came to Grand Island and remained three months. In November, 1889, yet another practitioner located here, and shortly after Christian Science services were held at this practitioner's home. As available records show, a practitioner's card appeared in the Journal of October, 1890, and in the Journal of March, 1892, services were advertised. In 1893 a church was organized, the church card appearing in the October Journal of that year. All these services were held in private homes. The first class was taught here in January, 1892, and a second class in May, 1895.
The first church organization was abandoned, but in the spring of 1805 meetings were again held each Sunday in a private home. On Sept. 22, 1896, a church was again organized, with a membership of thirteen, to be known as "First Church of Christ, Scientist." The newly organized church rented a room in the Independent Building, holding their first service there on Communion Sunday, in October, 1896. A reading room was established Oct. 13, 1898, where the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the publications of The Christian Science Publishing Society were kept on sale. On the twenty ninth of May, 1897, articles of incorporation were filed in the office of the county clerk, and these "articles" were revised Nov. 7, 1899.
In the year 1900 a house and lot, located at the corner of Kimball Avenue and Second Street, was purchased, a part of the purchase price being a contribution. This house was remodeled to be used for a church, and opening services were held on June 2, 1901. The reading room was also moved to the church building. This church was dedicated on June 19, 1904, with appropriate services. At this time, in response to a message sent to Mrs. Eddy, the following telegram was received in reply:—
