Ira O. Knapp, C.S.D.

Oil on canvas portrait by John Young Hunter
Original Longyear Collection, Longyear Museum, AW0339

IRA O. KNAPP, C.S.D.
A teacher, superintendent of schools and prosperous farmer in Lyman, New Hampshire, Ira Knapp first learned of Christian Science in 1884 when his wife, Flavia, was healed of chronic invalidism through Christian Science treatment. He turned wholeheartedly to the study of Christian Science, and in December of that year he and Mrs. Knapp had Primary class instruction with Mary Baker Eddy, taking what they learned of Christian Science healing back to their own community. Shortly after Mrs. Eddy visited them in Lyman in 1888, they found themselves ready for a broader field in which to practice, and soon moved to Roslindale, Massachusetts, and a few years later to Boston. In 1892 when Mrs. Eddy selected students to form her church, Mr. and Mrs. Knapp were among the twelve chosen. Mr. Knapp was an original member of The Christian Science Board of Directors, first chairman of the Board, and a member of the first Bible Lesson Committee.

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