Miss Eileen Ruth Gormley writes a historical sketch for Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, in 1933. Mrs. Harriett M. Armstrong writes the history of First Church, Ms. Adela S. Hawley for Fourth Church, and a committee of three for the newly formed Eleventh Church. Judge Clifford P. Smith expands the archival collections at The Mother Church in Boston. Rev. Dr. Lyman P. Powell uses the archives to write a biography on Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. Christian Science teachers Smith, Irving C Tomlinson, Julia M. Johnston, and E. Mary Ramsay also publish books on Christian Science history, as does photographer Richard Southall Grant. Christian Science church members collect loose issues of Christian Science Journals, Sentinels, and Monitor Weekly into bound volumes. The Christian Science Monitor's 25th anniversary is celebrated at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, as is the influence of Mary Baker Eddy as an author. Seattle Christian Scientists hold their own Monitor exhibition, and publish a full-page advertisement about Seattle's development in the "Progress Edition." 
Image: Bound volumes of weekly magazine section of The Christian Science Monitor
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E13: Making History (1933)

Mr. William Rathvon shares how important music was to Mary Baker Eddy. The workers at Kingsport Press hum and sing while manufacturing the new Christian Science hymnals in 1932. Church members hold hymns sings. Mr. Bicknell Young is guest soloist at Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Mr. Elbert LeRoy Bellows is hired as the new soloist at Fourth Church. Mr. Arch N. Torbitt hires an unskilled worker to help with maintenance at Third Church through the Man-A-Block Plan. Mr. Charles E. Heitman sings praises of those who supported the new Christian Science Publishing House in Boston at the 1933 Annual Meeting of The Mother Church.
Image of church auditorium courtesy of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle.
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E12: New Hymnal (1932)

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Ferree proposes hanging an American flag behind the readers on February 22, 1932, George Washington's 200th birthday, at Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. The Christian Science Board of Directors announce a special church service and lesson sermon for the Washington Centennial: "Love for God and Man, The Universal Ideal." President Herbert Hoover urges Americans to commune with "the spiritual springs of patriotism," and telegraphs a signal to unfurl flags at the opening of the George Washington Memorial Bridge in Seattle. Mr. Albert Eaton Lombard, Committee on Publication, gives a commencement address called "Looking Upward" at the University of Washington in front of a huge American flag. Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Dallas, Texas, builds a new church. Eleventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, acquires a building site. Mrs. Hawley at Fourth Church and Eleventh Church write to Boston about using the national anthem at church services. 
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E11: Washington Bicentennial (1932)

Mr. Ross Perry Williams, head usher at Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, orchestrates the Sunday collections in 1931 to help pay for construction of the new Publishing House building for the Christian Science Publishing Society in Boston. Mr. Byron B. Haviland, Washington Committee on Publication, presides over a mass meeting of Seattle church members at First Church to discuss the latest Boston building project.
Image: auditorium floor plan from Guide for Ushers. Courtesy of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle.
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E10: Ushering (1931)

Mrs. Rice, Secretary of the Joint Dedication Committee, sends the standing rules to the local Boards of Directors for their approval in early 1931. The board at Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, considers a statement from the Christian Science Board of Directors in Boston in the Christian Science Sentinel about joint dedication. Includes mention of joint dedication in New York and Los Angeles, and background on early joint dedication in Chicago done with the approval of Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.
Image: Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle.
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E9: Standing Rules (1931)

Mr. Herbert T. Condon, Dean of Students at University of Washington, invites the college student Christian Scientists to move their meetings off campus to Eagleson Hall, the University YMCA in the U-District at 15th Ave NE and NE 42nd Street in Seattle in the fall of 1930. 
Image: Eagleson Hall (in 2022). Photo by Cindy Safronoff.
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory
 

S2 E8: Eagleson Hall (1930)

Mr. Edwin Kirk Piper hears a K.O.M.O. radio broadcast of the Sunday evening service of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. US President Herbert Hoover gives a state of the union address to Congress on December 2, 1930. 
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory
 

S2 E7: Radiocasts (1930)

Mrs. Ruth Marthaler announces the dedication of Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, in Seahurst Park, on Sunday, December 8, 1929, after Mrs. Laura E. Ellis reads a telegram sent to the Board of Directors of The Mother Church in Boston.
Image: Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle (original), around 1929. Used with permission from First Church of Christ, Scientist, Burien, WA.
Season 2 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story" is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory
 

S2 E6: Tenth Church Dedication (1929)

A mass meeting, called by the new joint dedication committee, is held at Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, downtown. Area Christian Scientists contribute to the building fund for the newly completed Sixth church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, in West Seattle at SW Lander Street and 42nd Avenue SW, which was designed by Mr. Gerald C. Field and built by Mr. Neil McDonald. 
Image: Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle.
Season 2 is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory
 

S2 E5: To Arouse United Interest (1929)

Mrs. Bessie Haviland makes plans for dedication services at Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Mrs. Florence Foster, Second Reader, makes the official dedication announcement at the three special services on Sunday, November 24, 1929.
Image: Stained glass window in Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Photo by Cindy Safronoff.
Season 2 is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E4: Third Church Dedication (1929)

Mr. Walter G. Stanley sends a telegram to the Board of Directors of The Mother Church in Boston about the conference of Christian Science churches in Seattle scheduled for Nov. 7, 1929, to discuss a proposal for a joint dedication committee. Takes place in the board room at Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, in Lake Forest Park, and in the auditorium of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, in the University District.
Image: Auditorium of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Photo by Cindy Safronoff.
Season 2 is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory
 

S2 E3: Joint Dedication Committee (1929)

Mr. Walter G. Stanley floats a proposal for joint dedication, and the Board of Directors at Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, makes a resolution. 
Image: Empire Building. Paul Dorpat collection.
Season 2 is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E2: Call to Action (1929)

Church members discuss the terms of their mortgage bonds as financial markets show signs of instability, at Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Includes a 50-year overview of the history of the Christian Science movement as presented in Season 1 (Part 1) of Dedication: A Centennial Story.
Image courtesy of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, Washington.
Season 2 is a review draft prior to publishing the book for Part 2: 1929 to 1979. The book of Part 1: 1889 to 1929 of Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
This independent project is supported by people like you! Please purchase the book and help support the ongoing project: 
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

S2 E1: Pivotal Moment (1929)

Mr. Orison “O.J.C.” Dutton, Board Chair and President of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, prepares for church building and operates a Christian Science Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Hospitality Club in the midst of world war and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Takes place at a rented hall in the University National Bank Building at NE 45th Street and University Way NE and at Dutton’s hospitality club at Fourth Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Seattle. Dr. H. Walton Hubbard gives up his successful medical practice to become a Christian Science practitioner, teacher, and lecturer, following the footsteps of Dr. Francis J. Fluno, Dr. Abraham A. Sulcer, and Dr. John M. Tutt. Christian Scientists work at emergency hospitals at Fort George Wright in Spokane, Washington, the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois, Camp Mills Army base in Mineola, New York, Portsmouth Naval Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia. The Christian Science Monitor publishes an editorial opposed to bans on church services. The Des Moines, Iowa, public health committee speaks out in support of Christian Scientists at Camp Dodge. Mr. Harry P. Hitchcock goes to jail in Los Angeles. Ms. Maude M. Greene gains new insights in Mary Baker Eddy's spiritual definition of church. Catholic Rev. Edward J. O'Dea and Presbyterian Rev. Dr. Mark A. Matthews plan open-air church services. The Christian Science Sentinel publishes healings of Spanish flu and mortality rate statistics comparing Christian Science treatment and medical care. At Easter 1919, new Christian Science churches are dedicated in Rockford, Illinois, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Read draft chapter transcript with endnotes: PDF  
Image: Seattle Influenza Squad. Paul Dorpat collection
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory
 

26. Influence and Inspiration (1918)

In 1970, Mr. Milton Simons and Mrs. Martha W. Smith establish a Christian Science Reading Room in Seattle’s traditionally Afro-American district, the Central Area, with the support of the area Churches of Christ, Scientist. Takes place at 1134 34th Avenue East in Seattle, with inciting events at The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. Special mention of branch churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Los Angeles, California; Houston, Texas; and events in Little Rock, Arkansas. Also includes mention of Marietta Thomas Webb, Lulu M. Knight, Melba Pattillo Beals, Major Robert H. Lawrence, and Lt. Col. Guison S. Bluford Jr. 
Click here for Review draft text of this chapter. Feedback welcome! 
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

Black History Month Bonus - Central Area Reading Room (1970)

Author Cindy Safronoff reflects on Part 1 of "Dedication: A Centennial Story."
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

48. Afterword (2019)

Mr. Allen H. Armstrong's support of the Christian Science movement in Seattle ends. Includes discussion of the three downtown Christian Science professional centers: the Empire Building on Second Avenue, the Shafer Building at Sixth Avenue and Pine Street, and the Joshua Green Building at Fourth Avenue and Pike Street. Also, the three joint downtown reading rooms: the Empire Building, the Shafer Building, and the Maynard Building at First Avenue South and Washington Street. Judge Thomas Burke gets a memorial at Volunteer Park.
Image: Allen H. Armstrong, C.S.B. Drawing by Christina Safronoff.
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

47. Christian Science Teacher (1929)

Mr. Oscar Marcus "O.M." Kulien becomes the new Building Committee chair for Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Mr. Harlan Thomas, architect, gets involved. Mr. Charles W. Carkeek wins the construction contract.
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

46. Architect (1925)

The members of Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, in Queen Anne, reconsider the location for their church.
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

45. The Lot (1924)

Mr. Justice M. Matthews recommends budget cuts for Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle. Mr. John S. Gibson leads the design considerations for a new edifice for the Queen Anne congregation with architect Daniel Riggs Huntington. Seventh Church members consider whether they are ready to build.
Takes place at Queen Anne Hall and Bethany Presbyterian Church at First Avenue West and West Roy Street, and Queen Anne Congregational Church at Queen Anne Avenue and Galer Street. 
The book Dedication: Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is available on Amazon, through Powell's Books, or by special order through your favorite local book store.
Please support this project:
Rate and review the book and podcast!
Help crowd-fund this continuing project.
Tell your friends. "Like," share, post, forward, message.
To learn more about this ground-breaking project, visit CindySafronoff.com or Facebook: @DedicationCentennialStory

Dedication: A Centennial Story

Dedication: A Centennial Story

Get Started

Download the App