First Church of Christ, Scientist

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Christian Science?
Who was Mary Baker Eddy?
What is Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures?
How do you become a member?
Who is our pastor?
What is a Reader?
What type of church is the Beaverton church?
How is your church governed?
How do I get to the church and the Reading Room?
What is appropriate to wear to church?
Do you have an educational provision for children and teenagers?
How do I find out more about Christian Science?

What is Christian Science?

• Discovered by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866 and is based on the word and works of Christ Jesus.
• Draws its authority from the Bible.
• Through prayer, people around the world are being healed of physical ailments, substance addiction, psychological challenges, relationship problems, financial crises, employment issues and more.
• Known for healing disease through prayer, its higher purpose is salvation by spiritual means alone.
• The Tenets of Christian Science can be found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures on page 497.

Who was Mary Baker Eddy?

• Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science in 1866. While studying the Bible, she was healed of life-threatening injuries from a fall and discovered what she called the Science of Christianity – the basis of Christ Jesus’ healing ministry.
• Following her healing, she searched to find how she was healed through spiritual means alone, and dedicated her life to teaching, publishing, and making her spiritual system of healing available and accessible to others.
• Mary Baker Eddy established The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts in 1879. Today there are thousands of Christian Science "branch" churches in over 50 countries.

What is Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures?

• Science and Health is the textbook of Christian Science, written by Mary Baker Eddy and first published in 1875.
• It is a companion book to the Bible. Together, they are pastor of the Christian Science church.
• It contains the complete statement of the Science of Christianity.
• It is published in 17 languages and English Braille.

How do you become a member?

• Separate applications are available for membership to The Mother Church and to a branch church.
• Please see the for applications.

Who is our pastor?

• Mary Baker Eddy ordained the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures as pastor over The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, of which we are a branch.
• Services are conducted by lay readers.
• At Sunday services around the world, the same Lesson-Sermon, which is comprised of passages from the Bible and Science and Health is read. Read a list of lesson topics.
• For Wednesday meetings, the Reader prepares and reads a lesson on a current topic from the Bible and Science and Health.
• Services are one hour in length.

What is a Reader?

• A reader is elected from the membership.
• There are two readers:
  • On Sunday:
    • The First Reader primarily reads from Science and Health.
    • The Second Reader reads from the Bible.
  • On Wednesdays:
    • The First Reader prepares selections from both the Bible and Science and Health.

What type of church is the Beaverton branch church?

• This church is a Christian denomination, based on the words and works of Christ Jesus.
• This church is a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts.

How is your church governed?

• Christian Science churches are run democratically by their members. Board members, a President and Readers are elected by the membership. Members are voluntarily assigned to various committees to help with the daily running of the church facility. All members are welcome to participate.

How do I get to the church and the Reading Room?

• Church
  • Located at 12777 SW 9th Street in Beaverton, Oregon.
  • Get map from Yahoo Maps.
  • Telephone: 503-644-2502.
• Reading Room
  • Located at 12400 SW 1st Street, two blocks north of the Beaverton Library on Hall Boulevard.
  • Get map from Yahoo Maps.
  • Telephone: 503-644-7119.

What is appropriate to wear to church?

• Wear whatever you are comfortable wearing in public. No special dress is required.

Do you have an educational provision for children and teenagers?

• We offer a one-hour Sunday School for children and teenagers.
• First lessons taught are Scripture-based and include the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Sermon on the Mount.
• Teenagers explore the Bible and Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy, in more depth, ask questions and learn how to pray and apply the lessons learned, finding healing and answers to life’s questions.
• Discussion and sharing are encouraged in Sunday School.

How do I find out more about Christian Science?

• Read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (available at any Christian Science Reading Room, many public libraries & bookstores, online and in our church's pews where you are welcome to take one).
• Attend a Christian Science church service.
• Visit a Christian Science Reading Room.
• Listen to a Christian Science lecture.
• Visit or call a practitioner listed in The Christian Science Journal.
• Read other Christian Science literature published by The Christian Science Publishing Society.