Mary Baker Eddy
MARY BAKER EDDY
Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science
Author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
BIOGRAPHICAL CHRONOLOGY
| 1821 | July 16, Bow, N.H.: Mary Morse Baker born to Mark and Abigail Baker. |
|---|---|
| 1843 | December 10, Sanbornton (now Tilton), N.H.: marries George W. Glover of Charleston, S.C. |
| 1844 | June 27, Wilmington, N.C.: George Glover passes on. July, Sanbornton: Widowed, penniless, expecting their child, Mary returns to Baker home. Sept 12: Gives birth to son, George Glover, Jr. Over twenty years of illness and invalidism begin. |
| 1851 | May: George, Jr., lives with foster family, Cheneys of North Groton, N.H. Her health worsens. |
| 1853 | June 21: Marries Daniel Patterson, a dentist of Franklin, N.H., hoping to make a home for her son, George. |
| 1855 | Pattersons move to North Groton, N.H., so she could be near her son. Debilitating illness continues. |
| 1856 | Cheneys, with George, Jr., now twelve, move to Minnesota, breaking contact with her son until 1861. |
| 1860 | Pattersons move to Rumney, N.H. |
| 1862 | October, Portland, Maine: First visit to Phineas Quimby, magnetic healer. Experiences temporary relief. |
| 1865 | Lynn, Mass.: Patterson resumes dental practice. Couple resides in Lynn, then Swampscott. |
| 1866 | February, Swampscott, Mass.: Life-threatening effects of fall on ice, healed through prayer. Begins year-long period of healing others, researching the Scriptures, and exploring the discovery she eventually will name Christian Science. Deserted by her husband, Daniel Patterson. |
| 1867 | Taunton, Amesbury, Stoughton, Lynn, Mass.: Years of writing and teaching others to heal through prayer begin. |
| 1872 | Begins writing manuscript titled The Science of Life (re-titled Science and Health). |
| 1873 | Obtains divorce from Patterson, after twenty years of marriage. |
| 1875 | March, Lynn, Mass.: Purchases home at 8 Broad St. October 30: Science and Health published (later titled, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures). |
| 1877 | January 1, Lynn: Marries Asa Gilbert Eddy. |
| 1878 | Boston, Mass.: Eddys commute on Sundays to Boston, where Mrs. Eddy preaches. |
| 1879 | Lynn: Church of Christ (Scientist) chartered, with Mrs. Eddy as Pastor. Charlestown, Mass.: First service of Church of Christ (Scientist). |
| 1880 | Jan. - June, Boston: Eddys live at various addresses. Mrs. Eddy preaches, lectures. Oct., Lynn: Mrs. Eddy and students form Massachusetts Metaphysical College. |
| 1881 | January 31: Massachusetts Metaphysical College chartered in Boston. |
| 1882 | January: The Eddys move from Lynn; Mrs. Eddy gives series of lectures in Washington, DC. April, Boston: The Eddys move to Columbus Avenue. May: College opens for classes. June: Gilbert Eddy passes on. September: Mrs. Eddy begins seven years of teaching, preaching, lecturing, writing, publishing. |
| 1883 | April, Boston: First issue of Journal of Christian Science (later The Christian Science Journal). |
| 1889 | May: Leaves Boston. June, Concord, N.H.: Settles in rented house at 62 North State Street. Resigns pastorate of the Church of Christ (Scientist). Christian Scientist Association and the Massachusetts Metaphysical College are dissolved. Formal government of Church of Christ (Scientist), suspended. Church continues to hold services. |
| 1890 | Christian Science Quarterly, containing Bible lessons, published. |
| 1891 | January, Concord, N.H.: After major revision, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 50th ed., published. November: Retrospection and Introspection published. |
| 1892 | June, Concord, N.H.: Moves to Pleasant View, farm estate on outskirts of city. September 23: The Church of Christ, Scientist, reorganized with four-person Board of Directors and twelve First Members. |
| 1893 | December: Illustrated poem Christ and Christmas, published. |
| 1894 | Boston: Construction of The Mother Church. Seating capacity: about 1,000. December: First service held in original edifice. |
| 1895 | Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ordained as Pastor. September: First edition of Church Manual of The Mother Church published. |
| 1897 | February: Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 published. |
| 1898 | Mary Baker Eddy strengthens church through year of intense activity, including: Establishes Board of Lectureship, presenting facts about Christian Science to the public through free lectures. Creates Christian Science Publishing Society through Deed of Trust. Forms Board of Education for teaching Christian Science. Names twenty-six topics for weekly Lesson-Sermons, for use in individual Bible study and as sermons in Churches of Christ, Scientist. Launches weekly periodical, Christian Science Weekly (later Christian Science Sentinel) . Teaches last formal class, to 68 selected students at Concord, N.H. Establishes Committee on Publication to address published errors about Christian Science. Publishes poem, “Christmas Hymn” (“Blest Christmas morn…”). |
| 1899 | Josephine Woodbury brings libel suit against Mary Baker Eddy and officers of Church and Christian Science Publishing Society. |
| 1901 | Woodbury suit decided in favor of Mrs. Eddy and other defendants. |
| 1902 | Publishes major revision of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 226th printing. |
| 1903 | Construction begins on the domed extension to The Mother Church. |
| 1906 | June 10: Dedication of The Mother Church Extension. Seating capacity: 5,000. Collects and edits material for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany. |
| 1907 | March 1: “Next Friends” lawsuit attempts to prove Mary Baker Eddy, nearly 86, incompetent to conduct business. Six months later, with her competence established beyond refute, claimants withdraw their suit. |
| 1908 | January 26, Chestnut Hill, Mass.: Moves with household to 400 Beacon Street, near Boston. November 25: First issue of The Christian Science Monitor published. |
| 1909 | Augusta Stetson, break-away leader of New York branch church, excommunicated. |
| 1910 | Makes last revisions to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and Church Manual. December 3: Mrs. Eddy passes on. December 17: Church Manual, 89th edition, published. |
| 1911 | Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures with Mrs. Eddy's final revisions published. |
| 1913 | The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, published. |