First Church of Christ, Scientist, Atlanta, GA

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Atlanta is considered one of the major landmarks in the Midtown area. Built in the Classical revival style, it is regarded by Atlanta Magazine in an article in December, 1982, as "the best example of neo-classical style in the city."

The establishment of Christian Science in Atlanta was the direct result of the healing work done by , and her early students. In 1886 Mrs. Eddy sent Miss Julia Bartlett to Atlanta to teach Christian Science and take patients for healing. She was called upon by Mrs. Sue Harper Mims, a leading figure in Atlanta social life, who experienced a complete and permanent healing of a long standing physical problem. Mrs. Mims was the wife of a one-time mayor of Atlanta and one of the city's most prominent citizens.

Mrs. Mims' healing led to meetings in the Mims home which stood on the corner of Peachtree and Ponce de Leon Avenue where the Georgian Terrace now stands.

As the group grew larger, meetings were held in several locations. On April 12, 1899 the membership moved into its own church building at 17 West Baker Street. Within ten years the membership began to look for a larger structure. Many thought the present location was "too far out of town" to be practical. The lot was purchased anyway by a far seeing member who held the property until the decision was made to make the move. On June 13, 1913 the cornerstone was laid and construction was completed in July 1914. The architect was Arthur Neal Robinson, a member of the church.

Excellence from an architectural standpoint is seen in the intricate brickwork and masonry of the exterior walls. Also notable are the Corinthian columns at the front steps, the curving interior staircase, the beautifully decorated arches, and the excellent four manual Moller organ installed to replace the earlier Pilcher organ.

The lower level houses the Sunday School and smaller rooms used for other purposes. The church Administration building at 150 Fifteenth Street was built in the early part of the 20th Century and purchased by the church in 1950. This building houses the Board Room, Clerk's office, the Reading Room, the Children's Room and many committee rooms. The adjoining lot at 156 Fifteenth Street was purchased in 1968 and made into a church parking lot in 1983.

It was said the beauty of the exterior made every brick mason in the area want to claim having worked on the building. Had this been true no one mason could have laid more that 12 to 15 bricks apiece.

First Church has the distinction of being the first air conditioned building in Atlanta. This was accomplished by having large air passages directly under the floor of the main auditorium. Hugh blocks of ice were placed in these passages and large fans blew the air over the ice and into the air ducts in the auditorium.

In 1984 a complete renovation of the church was started to bring the church up to present building codes and standards. At the same time the Moller organ was completely rebuilt.