Members of First Church in Lima, Ohio, recently celebrated the opening of their new Reading Room with an Open House, followed by a talk given by Mrs. Marian English, CSB. Well over 100 people attended.

The Christian Science church and its Reading Room are long-term residents in Lima. The Reading Room has been in numerous locations and in its previous location for more than a decade. So why did they move?

Over a year ago, a neighboring medical facility asked to purchase the existing Reading Room location as part of their multi-million dollar expansion. After many meetings and prayerful consideration, the members found Mrs. Eddy's statement to be very helpful: "A genuine Christian Scientist loves Protestant and Catholic, DD. and MD., --loves all who love God, good. . ." (My 4:14). "We strove to be good neighbors and strong healers for our community," noted Jan Reed. As a result, the medical facility agreed to purchase another lot and build a new building for the Reading Room in exchange for the existing property.

The beautiful new Reading Room with its expanded amenities is now located in the same block as the church building. Jan adds, "The building, furnishings, landscaping, parking, and paving were completed 'without money and without price'. (Isaiah 55:1) And, our new Reading Room is in direct view of patients looking for healing!"

The alcove ceiling was painted by artist (and First Reader) Ann Basil, depicting the sky with the seven synonyms for God lettered around the edges.

The old location provided basically two rooms. The new 1350 square-foot Reading Room is truly a modern bookstore and library. It offers a variety of different sections,

including reception and display areas,

 

 

 

spaces for quiet reading,

 

 

 

 

viewing or listening to tapes,

 

 

 

 

research by computer and in the bound volumes of CS periodicals,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a children’s area.

 

 

 

 

In addition, a large conference room can be divided into three smaller sections.

There are also two restrooms, a mechanical room and a storage room.

What hasn’t changed are several on-going programs: two regular monthly discussion groups meet at the Reading Room, one to discuss features in The Christian Science Monitor and the other to share inspirational ideas on selected topics relating to participants and their community. There are also plans for a weekly bible lesson study group.