A typical storefront Christian Science Reading Room on the main street of a suburb of Boston. The window displays a lamp, a large Bible open to the current reading, and copies of Science and Health.

Branches of the Church of Christ, Scientist normally maintain a Christian Science Reading Room in their community where the public can study, borrow, or purchase Christian Science literature. There are approximately 2000 Christian Science Reading Rooms worldwide. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... Christian Science is a religious teaching regarding the efficacy of spiritual healing according to the interpretation of the Bible by Mary Baker Eddy, in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (First published in 1875). ...

Such information includes the Christian Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, other writings by Mary Baker Eddy (who established reading rooms as a church activity), and other items published by the Christian Science Publishing Society. This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by Mary Baker Eddy, is the foundation of the Christian Science movement. ... Mary Baker Eddy Mary Baker Eddy (born Mary Morse Baker July 16, 1821 - December 3, 1910) founded the Church of Christ, Scientist in 1879 and was the author of its fundamental doctrinal textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. ... The Christian Science Publishing Society is the publishing arm of the Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts. ...

Reading rooms are usually placed in public places—often storefronts—though occasionally situated within a church building itself, open either full or part-time, and attended by either a regular librarian or by members to assist or answer inquiries.

The first Christian Science Reading Room was established in Boston in 1888. The Christian Science Journal proudly noted that it was in "one of the most eligible locations in Boston... in the Hotel Boylston, over the Steinert piano warehouses... where some of the best concerts are held." According to Paul Eli Ivey, "By the early twentieth century, Christian Science reading rooms began to appear in the business districts of cities and featured the Christian Science Monitor as well as religious literature." Nickname: City on the Hill, Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe)1, Athens of America, The Cradle of Revolution, Puritan City, Americas Walking City Location in Massachusetts, USA Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas M. Menino(D) Area    - City 232. ... The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ...

In many parts of the U.S., Christian Science Reading Rooms are ubiquitous parts of the downtown landscape. A book by Kristin Hahn speaks of "Breezing by the Christian Science Reading Rooms prominently centered on main streets all across America." Novelists use them to characterize respectable-but-shabby commercial districts. A mystery novel by Loren D. Estleman characterizes the location of a detective office by putting it among a beauty school, a plumbing supply store, "a hearing-aid shop, [and] a Christian Science reading room next to a medical supply outlet." A fictional cop in a novel by Peter Plate steers a patrol car "past Siegal's Tuxedo Shop, Queen's Shoes, Discoteca Latina, The Eggroll Express, The Christian Science Reading Room, and Duc Loi's Meat and Fish Company." The Simpsons' fictional town of Springfield contains one. Main Street in Los Altos, California. ... Simpsons redirects here. ...

References

• Online search page for locating Christian Science Reading Rooms

• Home Page of The First Church of Christ, Scientist
• The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity
• "Reports of Healing" from the Christian Science Journal
• Spirituality.com The official website of the Christian Science Publishing Society
• The current weekly Bible Lesson in Webcast
• The Christian Science Monitor (International Daily Newspaper)
• Ivey, Paul Eli (1999). Prayers in Stone: Christian Science Architecture in the United States, 1894-1930 . University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0-252-02445-1. 
• Lisa the Skeptic Simpsons episode 5F05, in which an anti-science mob attacks a Christian Science Reading Room