First Church of Christ, Scientist
429 W. Stephenson St. Freeport
Local interst in Christian Science dates from 1887, when a group of students rented a room in Fry's block, Stephenson and Chicago Streets, and inaugurated meetings on Sunday afternoons.
In the 1890's, a former resident of Freeport, a student of Mrs. Eddy's, organized and taught a class here, and in 1898, under her guidance, the local organization became a branch of the Mother Church.
Larger quarters soon became necessary and a room was secured on the second floor of the Wilcoxon Block, Van Buren and Exchange Streets, a Sunday school was added and a public Reading Room opened.
In October 1907, the present site was purchased. In
1919, the residence occupying it was remodeled, and November 26,1925, it was dedicated as a church edifice. Services were held here until May 1939, when it was razed to make way for the present structure, which was opened to the public March 17, 1940.
(Written by Charles F. Stocking, Author & Teacher)
Information from the book "Camera Studies of Freeport IL" by Robert F. Koenig 1954
