On Hillsborough Street, across from the historic, soon-to-be-relocated IHOP, lies a quaint colonial style building known as the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The building, more than 80 years old, is often mistaken for a Church of Scientology, but the First Church of Christ, Scientist is actually a Bible-based religion.
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, used the term “science” because she felt she could encounter physical and mental healing by practicing the laws of good. Eddy had poor health until her mid-40s, when she had a catastrophic fall on ice. Although the doctor in attendance said she would die in a short time period, Eddy recovered and lived to be 89.
On that occasion, the founder of the religion turned to the Bible as she routinely did, finding something different as she read one of Jesus’ healings. She saw men and women as “God’s children,” whole and good, which moved her. Through prayer, Eddy experienced quick and complete healing.
Subsequently, she authored the book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” in 1875. In the chapter, “Fruitage,” one can read about the personal experiences prompted by the texts. The book improved health, relationships, injuries and financial circumstances.
Four years later, Eddy founded The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston. The location serves as the headquarters, often referenced as the “Mother Church.”
Cynthia P. Barnett, a member of the Christian Science Committee on Publication for North Carolina, attends the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Hillsborough Street. The Sunday service shares elements of most Christian services.
“We say the Lord’s Prayer, have silent prayer, sing hymns and have a Bible sermon, presented by our two ‘Readers,’ elected from the congregation,” Barnett said.
“There are 26 topics with each one repeated during the year,” Barnett said. “The actual citations for the lesson sermon are different each time. Every Christian Science church in the world will be studying that particular lesson during the week and presenting it to the public on Sunday.”
The Bible and Eddy’s publication are dually referred to as the pastor, as no ordained individual serves as pastor.
Unlike traditional Christianity, the religion holds a metaphysical, or “above the physical,” perspective.
“We don’t deal with physical symptoms and material measures as much as others do,” Barnett said. “We take a spiritual approach, constantly looking at how we’re thinking about things. We work with our mental world a great deal in Christian Science. We mean to be self-aware.”
One example of the metaphysical perspective is recognizing the meaning of baptism and communion compared to other denominations.
“[The two] bring us closer to God,” Barnett said. “They purify our lives, the way we think about others and ourselves. In fact, we study a Bible lesson twice a year called ‘sacrament,’ which deals with these concepts. Although we don’t use a ritual of bread or wine, we respect how important those rituals are to other Christians.”
Although Christian Science is highly spiritual, Barnett specifies that God is doing the healing, not the Christian Scientists. Prayer is used to feel closeness to God.
“Through prayer, we get a clear idea of God’s goodness and power and ourselves as his much-loved children,” Barnett said. “We pray, gain a clear understanding of God and find that he lifts us out of the problem and brings harmony to the human situation.”
Through Christian Science, Barnett said she has found relief from severe headaches, recovery from joint pain, better relationships and progress in her career.
“It helps me to know that I’m not separate from divine Love [God]; it’s right here with me,” Barnett said. “I get out of my narrow sense of being alone and bombarded with challenges. I see a whole new view of everything; it brings me a sense of peace and the ability to face a problem and find the solution.”
According to Barnett, Eddy felt that each church should offer a peaceful place for the community to find materials on Christian Science. In downtown Raleigh, this “Reading Room” offers a quiet destination for reflection and spiritual inquiries.
Also raised a Christian Scientist is Vernon Matzen, an NC State professor emeritus. Matzen taught structural mechanics for 38 years in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. Although he wasn’t an active member initially, he decided to maintain his faith when he went to college.
“I was actually not a very enthusiastic Sunday school student,” Matzen said. “When I went off to college, my mother suggested that I might want to think about how I wanted to live my life, and whether I was interested in pursuing membership in the Christian Science Church. I thought about it, and many of the people I knew and admired were Christian Scientists. I liked the way they lived their lives and thought, I want to do that, too.”
Matzen has attended the church since he moved to Raleigh in 1977 for his position as an assistant professor. At the time, it was the only Christian Science church in Raleigh. Since, a Second Church of Christ, Scientist was established in Raleigh. Matzen says he views Christian Science as a religion of love, hope and healing.
“I know there are questions about whether or not Christian Science is in fact a Christian religion, and it most certainly is,” Matzen said. “Many Christian Scientists rely upon prayer for healing various problems in their lives.”
It is at the discretion of the individual to decide if he or she will seek medical assistance.
“Another misconception is that we’re against doctors,” Matzen said. “That’s certainly not the case; my father was a dentist. If I prayed about a particular physical problem and have not found relief, I, in fact, from time to time have gone to a medical doctor.”
The church does not have a special service for Christmas, according to Matzen, but the birth of Jesus and the nativity story are still addressed.
“The only special service during this time of the year is Thanksgiving — 10:30 a.m. on Thursday,” Matzen said. “During this time, we read scriptures from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook and sing. It’s a time for people to share experiences concerning how they’ve been blessed and healed. It’s a time of sharing.”
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