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First Church of Christ

16 Bayard Lane
609-924-5801

In 1910 a few Christian Scientists residing in and about Princeton began to meet together to read the Bible lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly. A Christian Science Society was formed in 1914 with 10 members and two Sunday School pupils.

In 1917 evidence of the group's spiritual progress was manifested in construction of a modest building for church services at 63 Olden Street on ground rented from Princeton University.

The Society became a church in 1928, and the Reading Room opened that year on the second floor at 20 Nassau Street. A few years later the Reading Room moved to the ground floor at 6 Chambers Street.

In 1946 the members purchased a lot at 16 Bayard Lane as the site for a new church edifice. The present building was completed there in September 1950, and first services were held.

The church was dedicated in 1955.

Soon it was necessary to add seats in the church and to increase the Sunday School seating capacity. Meanwhile, the Reading Room was moved to larger quarters at 29 Witherspoon Street, and later to 178 Nassau Street.

The members of this Princeton church continue in their devotion to and practice of the teachings of Christian Science. They loyally support The Mother Church. They endeavor to follow Jesus' admonitions, "Freely ye have received; freely give," and "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

The Bylaws of this church, first adopted by the Society in 1914, have been amended and revised from time to time to keep abreast of changing conditions. The Bylaws continue to support the healing work of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Princeton, in this community.