Augusta Emma Stetson

Augusta Emma Stetson ("née Simmons") (1842-1928) was an American Christian Science leader, born at Waldoboro, Me. She studied at the Blish School of Oratory in Boston, and in 1884 received the degree of Doctor of Christian Science (C.S.D.) from the Massachusetts Metaphysical College. She then began Christian Science healing in Boston, and in 1885 led the service on alternate Sundays at Chickering Hall. The next year she was sent by Mrs. Eddy to New York City, where she organized the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1887. She was appointed pastor of that church in 1888 and in 1895 was made first reader when the title of pastor was changed in all Christian Science churches. For a time she was also principal of the New York City Christian Science Institute (chartered 1891).

In the early 1900's, Mrs. Stetson raised more than $1,250,000 to build a structure for the use of First Church, on West 96th Street at Central Park West and it was dedicated free of debt. [ [http://www.nyc-architecture.com/UWS/UWS041.htm New York Architecture Images- First Church of Christ, Scientist ] ] In 1909 she was excommunicated by the Mother Church at Boston, on charges of insubordination and of false teaching.

She published:
* "Poems" (1901; second edition, 1910)
* "Reminiscences, Sermons, and Correspondence" (1913)
* "Vital Issues in Christian Science" (1914)

ee also

*List of former Christian Science churches, societies and buildings

References

External links

* [http://www.nyc-architecture.com/UWS/UWS041.htm Pictures of the church built by Augusta Stetson at West 96th Street and its later history]

* [http://www.emmapublishing.com/biographicalsketch.html Emma Publishing Society biography]

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