A group of Christian Scientists, residing mainly in the northwest suburb of Columbus, Ohio, known as Upper Arlington, felt an increasing need over a period of several years to hold Christian Science services in that rapidly growing community. On October 29, 1961, eighteen people met to discuss the possible formation of such a group.

The first service was held on March 24, 1963, at 3 100 Tremont Road in the Kingsdale Shopping Center. This location was an air‑conditioned basement room of a new office building. the Sunday School and Nursery were located at 3141 Kingsdale Center.

This informal group, forty-six of whom became charter members*, was officially recognized as the Christian Science Society, Upper Arlington, on February 20, 1964.

On December 30, 1963, a lot on Asbury Drive in the approximate center of Upper Arlington was purchased. In 1969, the firm of Faulkner and Faulkner of Chicago, Illinois, was asked to submit drawings, which the membership approved and voted to build the front section of the edifice. Construction work by J. J. Campbell began in May 1970. As the building of the church progressed, the property north of the church was purchased, and the residence was converted into a Sunday School,

Before daylight at 7:00 a.m. on October 8, 1970, a small group of members representing the Board of Trustees, the Building Committee and a few charter members met to lay the cornerstone for the church at 3040 Asbury Drive.

The official recognition by The Mother Church was on December 30, 1970. The first service of First Church of Christ Scientist, Upper Arlington was held on Sunday, February 7, 1971 at 11:00 a.m. complete with Sunday School, Nursery, a public Reading Room and on‑site parking.

During 1984, the Sunday School staff began to urge the membership to consider the construction of the auditorium, to complete our church and provide our children with the Sunday School room, which was being used for the church services, At a business meeting the membership voted to enter into a contract with the architectural firm of Noverre Musson Associates (Mr. Musson was a long time member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Columbus, Ohio), for the preparation of design drawings for our auditorium addition. It was stipulated in the contract that Mr. Rider Brice, a member of the architectural firm and a member of our church, be the architect in charge of the project.

At a membership business meeting on February 4, 1985, the members unanimously approved the design drawings presented by Rider Brice. During 1985 and 1986, the architect completed the construction drawings, but there was a pause while the Building Fund continued to grow. During this period, Rider Brice left Noverre Musson Associates and started his own architectural office, but he retained the contract for the design and supervision of our church.

On May 18, 1987, a contract was let with Jackson & Downey Construction Consultants for the construction of our church. On April 3, 1988, Easter Sunday, the first service was held in the new auditorium. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer, Mr. Brice, Mr. Downey and others, in May 1989, the final bills were paid, making our church free and clear. A dedicatory service was held on Sunday afternoon, June 25, 1989, at 2:30 in the afternoon.

A Proclamation was issued by the Office of the Mayor of Upper Arlington on the 25th day of June 1989 stating "...Whereas, it is the tradition of all churches of Christ, Scientist to dedicate a church edifice at final completion, reflecting the culmination of plans, contributions, congregational cooperation and gratitude for twenty‑eight years of good works in this community; Now, Therefore, I, Priscilla D. Mead, Mayor of the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio, do hereby commend the First Church of Christ, Scientist of Upper Arlington for reaching this landmark occasion in the history of this church and congratulate them upon the dedication of the church edifice at 3040 Asbury Drive on June 25, 1989. 11

(Note: Priscilla D. Mead is the daughter of long‑time church member Eleanor Daugherty.)

*Excerpts are from the Church history written by charter member, Mrs. Stella Bloser.