History of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Macon, Georgia

In the Spring of 1895 the Christian Scientists’ Association of Macon, Georgia was formed by a little band of loving students of Christian Science under the charge of Miss Alice Jennings.

In the Spring of 1896, having meantime met lesser calls of Truth, the members of this little flock rose to obey the supreme demand of the hour for a church founded on Christian Science and its availability in the healing of disease as set forth in “Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures”, by Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Those who were members of Evangical churches withdrew to stand before the world of fidelity to the Principle of Divine Science, and to be united into a spiritual compact for mutual aid, in establishment of the brotherhood of Spirit, and also to be known by all as a church.

This church of the understanding, thus founded on the incorporeal God, Principle Good, began with the right basis and though encompassed by the foe, will reveal more and more the prosperity and triumph of Truth and Love.

According to Science and Health (page 583) Church is “The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick”.

Those who had been given instructions to fit them for the duties of church membership united with the church Easter Sunday April 6, 1896. These duties are mentioned in Science and Health, page 35, as follows: “Our baptism is a purification of all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle Love. We can unite with this church only as we are newborn of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life, by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick. Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread, ‘which cometh down from heaven’ is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to His followers”.

In June, 1896 at a call from Miss Jennings for the incorporation of the Church all responded gladly and voted with unanimous readiness of fidelity to the one mind that the necessary step should be taken to obtain a charter. An agreement signed by the members of the Christian Science Association of Macon, Ga. and entered into for the incorporation of the Church to be known as “First Church of Christ, Scientist” was drawn up as follows: —

“We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do by this agreement associate ourselves with the intention to constitute a corporation according to the provisions of the laws of Georgia.

“The name by which the corporation shall be known and distinguished is ‘First Church of Christ, Scientist’.

“The purpose for which the corporation is constituted is to conduct, transact, and prosper the business necessary to sustain the worshin of God. The place within which the corporation is established or located is the City of Macon within said State.

“In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of June in the year eighteen hundred and ninety six.”

The names of those who signed the petition for the charter are as follows:

Miss Alice Jennings
Mrs. Frank F. Pomeroy
Mrs. Sourie Lee Van House Polhill
Mrs. Lizzie Smith Chambliss