View source for First Church of Christ, Scientist, Claygate and Esher

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{{Christian Science}}
== Historical Notes ==

In 1951, the old ''Swedenborgian'' church and its site were purchased from the Higby family by a group of Christian Scientists who held their first service in it on Easter Sunday of that year. 

Christian Science was discovered in 1866 by Mary Baker Eddy. In 1879, she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, as a church designed 'to reinstate primitive Christianity, and its lost element of healing'. The church was reorganised in 1892, and today comprises The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts, and its many branches throughout the world. 

In November 1951, the Christian Science Board of Directors in Boston recognised Christian Science Society, Claygate, as a branch of the Mother Church. Increased membership led to the Society being granted status as First Church of Christ, Scientist, Claygate, in December 1955. And on 24th May 1957, the church building was dedicated. (Christian Science churches may only be dedicated when free of all debts.) 

As membership expanded so the need for new premises increased. Accordingly, it was decided in June 1959 to build a new church, incorporating a Reading Room, at a cost of about £14,000, in front of the old building in Hare Lane. On 1st October 1961, the first service was held in the new church.  

The present church incorporates an unusual roof of hyperbolic paraboloid design. The design of most religious buildings tends to be of a symbolic nature, for example the naves and spires of many old churches symbolise thoughts reaching up to God. In this instance the architect, Gilbert Williams, then of the Meadway, Esher, wished to symbolise in the shape of the roof the idea of God's sheltering and reaching-out love, as well as the Word going out to all mankind. The Revelation of St. John, chapter 21, verse 16, symbolises heavenly harmony with a city that'' 'lieth four-square, and the length is as large as the breadth'''. The plan of the auditorium with all sides of equal length symbolises the concept of unchangeable harmony. The shape of the church externally expresses its shape internally; there is no variance and so no deception and thus the concept of truth is symbolized. 

As the church flourished, and in order to embrace a wider community, an application was made and granted on 1st March 1968, to redesignate the church, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Claygate and Esher. A separate Reading Room in High Street, Esher, was opened to the public on 23rd September 1974.

=== Claygate's Swedenborgian Church ===

On the site off Hare Lane &mdash; at one time Claygate Lane Field of Titts Farm &mdash; where the Christian Science Church now stands, there was originally a New Jerusalem Church, more commonly known as a ''Swedenborgian Church''. This was built in 1909 at a cost of some £800, and owned by Charles Higby senior, a local builder who lived in Claygate for many years before he died in 1940. (One of his daughters, Miss Constance Higby, founded the local estate agent once known as Billinghurst, Higby, Chard; she died in 1980.)

This particular religious order was founded on the views of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), a brilliant Swedish scientist and philosopher who abandoned his scientific career at the age of 57 because he believed he had received a divine commission to interpret the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. Although the church in Claygate was used for various religious services until the late 1940s, these tended to be on an occasional rather than a regular basis in its latter years as a Swedenborgian Church. 

During World War II part of the premises was also used as an ARP Wardens Centre, and later, until October 1949, as a Branch Library of Surrey County Council. By this time the building had become somewhat dilapidated and its use for worship had ceased. In 1950, a group of local residents considered purchasing the property to convert it into a Youth Club, but the cost &mdash; £3,000 &mdash; was too high  and the idea abandoned.

== References ==
* {{Peebles}}