Christian Science Society, Sevenoaks

History

A history of Christian Science in Sevenoaks

1904

The first Christian Science gathering in Sevenoaks took place in the house of a Mr James whose healing through Christian Science had aroused interest in this new religion.

1906

Two years later meetings were held in the Oddfellows Hall in London Road.

1908

The ground floor at the back of a shop in the High Street was rented to provide space for a Reading Room where people could find out more about Christian Science; this was later moved to a hut near the railway station.

1910

The Sevenoaks Christian Science Society was organised and advertised in the Christian Science Journal. Two services were held on Sundays and there was a testimony meeting once a month. New rooms for services were found in The Market Place, High Street, which were large enough to accommodate a Reading Room–cum-Sunday School.

1912

A plot of land near the old main post office in South Park was donated by a Christian Scientist to the Society.

A Christian Science talk was given by Bliss Knapp in November as part of a world lecture tour. He was a pupil of Mary Baker Eddy, and the youngest appointed lecturer at the time. In a letter home he writes of visiting the “castle of Knole” and viewing their art collection.

1915

A temporary church was erected together with accommodation for a Reading Room and Sunday School.

1925

The Society had grown to become the First Church of Christ Scientist, Sevenoaks when weekly testimony meetings were introduced.

Early 1930s

A building fund for the erection of a permanent church edifice was set up, and in 1934 a substantial donation by a Christian Scientist made it possible for the start of the new building, on the site of the old boating pool of The Lime Tree Hotel.

IMAGE: January 28th 1936 11am. Silence at the time of the funeral of King George V while building First Church Christ Scientist Sevenoaks.

1936

The first service is held in the new building, with room for a congregation of over 200.

1950

A 500-pipe Walker organ was installed in the church auditorium.

1986

A separate Reading Room building was added with a large display area on street level.

2009

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sevenoaks becomes Christian Science Society, Sevenoaks.

Around this time renovation works were carried out to the front windows and doors.

2013

In March 2013 the church building was sold to a housing developer and services were transferred to the Town Council Chamber in Bradbourne Vale Road.

2017

Caxton House – a building originally designed as offices – was acquired with the aim of refurbishing one of its two floors as facilities for the Society’s services, Sunday School and other activities, whilst bringing the other floor up to date as offices to let. Planning permission was sought and obtained, and the refurbishment project was completed in time for us to hold our first Sunday Service on August 6th 2017.

Caxton House, 22 St John’s Hill, Sevenoaks, TN13 3NP