Birmingham [Alabama] Christian Scientists to sell church on Highland Avenue
July 10, 2011
[The Birmingham News – al.com – Birmingham, AL] By Greg Garrison
During the writing career of Mark Twain, Mary Baker Eddy was known for starting a worldwide spiritual healing movement….In 1907, there was a congregation in Birmingham’s Southside. In 1949, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, moved to a prominent building on Highland Avenue, next to Independent Presbyterian Church. After 62 years there, church leaders have decided to sell the building. A deal has been agreed on with Independent Presbyterian to buy the building by mid-August, church leaders said. Read story»
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Prayerful Living NewsBlog 
It must be very sad for First Church Birmingham to leave such a beautiful building, but I know that they will find a smaller space which is more suitable for the size of their present membership. Sadly, over the years the membership of the Christian Science church in the US has dwindled significantly. Many of the magnificent church buildings which once housed large congregations have been sold to other denominations or turned into cultural centers, condos, or even office space.
As to the book (Christian Science) by Mark Twain, I have read it and it is indeed very funny. However, later in his life he completely changed his opinion of Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science, and said that Mrs. Eddy was the “greatest benefactress of the age.” One of his daughers (Clara Clemens) even became a Christian Science practicioner. She wrote a book about her experiences in Christian Science titled something like “To a Brighter Day”.