The Wave Edition
Isabella County Enterprise
March 29, 1895

A Sketch of Mt. Pleasant's Churches

Church of Christ, Scientist
By Mrs. Anna S. Coutant

     When speaking of our level town one is asked how it came to be called Mt. Pleasant.  Undoubtedly there is some legend about it, but is not the fact that it has in its confines so many places of worship a satisfactory answer?

     None within its borders may say "Nobody ever the story me told," since there is ample opportunity for all who will, to hear the Word of God.  The Bible tells us that the valleys must be brought up and the mountains laid low, so that our surroundings fulfill the Divine mandate and shall we not, having this constantly before us, be the sooner able to bring it out in our lives, thus making our town a veritable Mount Pleasant.

     Among others is the Church of Christ, Scientist, a body of faithful, earnest workers, endeavoring "as far as in us lies" to fulfill the commands of our Master, which reads: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  And thou shalt love they neighbor as thy self."

     Understanding this to mean having no idols and acknowledging no greater power than the omnipotence of God.  Good, they strive to so bring this into their daily lives that ultimately every form of sin and disease shall be cast out.  Thus loving our neighbor as our selves.

     All are welcome to our services Sundays at the usual hour of service and Friday evenings at 7:30.

From "Brief Histories of the Churches of Mt. Pleasant"
Collected and Edited by Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Cole
of the Historical Study Group
First Presbyterian Church
May, 1958

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST

Interest in Christian Science was first awakened in 1890 in this city.  A small group of residents met on Sunday afternoon, and in March, 1890, the first Sunday School class for children was organized.

These adults and children met in a house on Michigan Street, which was rented by a group of ten interested residents.  A reading room was established immediately in this ho use, which was open daily.

At this time, the group enlarged, and 15 Christian Scientists met in June, 1891, for the purpose of organizing a church.  The first such certificate of incorporation issued by the State of Michigan, was given to this group, who became the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Their first pastor was Miss Eleanore R. Adams, who lived in the upstairs of this house on Michigan Street.  However, in 1895, Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the Leader and Founder of the Christian Science movement, established the present form of service, which includes a First and Second Reader, reading from the Bible and the Christian Science Textbook, as the only preachers of the Church.  Miss Adams was then elected First Reader, and D. H. Nelson was elected Second Reader.

This original group continued to enlarge, and July, 1907, the R. D. Balmer home, located at the corner of College and Wisconsin Streets, was purchased, which is the site of the present church.  Extensive remodelling was done, and the Church was dedicated free from all debt on Easter morning, April 19, 1908.  It is customary in Christian Science Churches that dedication services be held after all indebtedness is paid.

The first trustees of this Church were: Mrs. Ida S. Dusenbury, Mrs. Anna S. Coutant, Mrs. Mary L. Nelson, and Mrs. Mary H. Labell.

The first Christian Science Lecture was held in this city in June, 1899.

Further alterations were made on the Balmer property in 1937, and in September, 1953, the present reading room was remodelled and the new Sunday School addition was added.

 

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