About

A Brief History of the Second Church of Christ, Scientist – Raleigh

By: Charlie Konrad, charter member

In summer of 1985 a small group began to meet to determine the feasibility in starting an additional Christian Science church in the north Raleigh area. This came to fruition when the “Christian Science group” held their first Sunday service on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in the year 1985.

Sunday services and Wednesday testimony meetings were conducted regularly at Effie Green Elementary school on Six Forks Road in the school library/media room including Sunday school classes in adjoining rooms.  Much dedication was demonstrated by its members to setup for Sunday and Wednesday services. The podiums, chairs, piano, hymnals, etc. all had to be setup and removed for each service. I can recall how we would have to wait for the school custodian to arrive with the keys before we could enter the building.

In September of 1987 we purchased the Hobson property at 5312 Falls of the Neuse Road for $125,000 with a special financial arrangement with the Hobson family. This church was the last to receive matching grant funds from the Mother Church in order to assist with the purchase of our current location.  At that time no bank in town was receptive to our budding group. Payments were made directly to the Hobson family.

This continued until the Fidelity Bank loan was granted in late 1999. To prepare for services, renovations were made to the building and grounds which included removing interior walls, constructing new men and women restrooms, converting a two car garage into a Sunday School and Reading room, painting, carpeting, new lighting, planting shrubs and trees, etc.

The first service conducted in this new facility took place on Mother’s Day of May 1989. In addition to our spiritual maturity since our inception we have added an access ramp to our sanctuary, replaced the HVAC system, paved the parking lot, replaced the porch columns and added exterior floodlights.

We are so very grateful and continue to be blessed for our growth both individually and collectively.