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Christian Science was introduced in Santa Barbara in 1882 by Mr. John Hiller and Mrs. Julia E. Hiller of Escanaba, Michigan, who came as winter visitors. They returned in 1884 to make Santa Barbara, California their home. Beginning in 1892, Sunday services were held regularly in the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Frink, with about eight other people attending. The first public services began in 1895 in the Channel City Hall at the corner of Carrillo and Chapala Streets. In the summer of 1896, a Christian Science Society and a Sunday School were organized. In March 1899, the first public lecture on Christian Science was given in Santa Barbara by Mr. A.A. Sulcer, M.D., C.S.B., of Riverside.

In October 1900, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Santa Barbara, California, was organized under the laws of the state with 16 charter members. At the semi-annual communion service on December 2, 1900, six more members were added. An English lady, Miss Lord, gave the church a gift of $5,000 for the establishment and maintenance of a Reading Room.

After the organizing of the church, membership increased as both interest and attendance rose. In 1902, a small church building on State Street was purchased and refurnished. Services were held there until more space was needed in 1906. A 112-by-200-foot lot was purchased at the corner of Micheltorena and Anacapa Streets, facing a city plaza. In 1910, the church building was moved to this lot and enlarged, doubling the seating capacity. The structure was completely refurnished and a pipe organ installed. The church remained in this location for 22 years.

During World War I — from March 1, 1918 to January 1, 1919 — a War Comforts committee established by the church turned out 5,000 garments for the use of men in the service and their families, with a sum of $5,600 having been contributed for the work.In 1922, plans were drawn for a new church structure with a connected Sunday School building. An attractive concrete structure for the Sunday School was erected in the winter of 1922-1923. However, after the 1925 earthquake, plans for the new church structure were abandoned.

On the day of the 1925 earthquake (June 29, 1925), the president of the Church was quick to see the need for relief work. A tent was established in City Hall Plaza and a second stand on the grounds of the Church. Box lunches, contributed by the Christian Scientists of Los Angeles, were given out from these two locations to all who asked for them. These lunches were also distributed by automobile to those who found it difficult to reach the centers. When the Red Cross announced that there was enough food in Santa Barbara, the tent was removed from the plaza, though canned goods were still given out from the Church grounds. For almost two weeks, a Church committee continued to carry cold drinks twice a day to the U.S. Marines who patrolled the hot, dusty, and debris-filled streets, and to the telephone operators who stayed by their posts from the first tremor. Clothing, food, milk, money, and some tents were supplied to the families of the Sunday School children whenever needed. During the period of rehabilitation, members of the church and congregation were given such aid as needed through a fund contributed by The Mother Church in Boston, by other Christian Science branch churches in California, and by private individuals. These loans and gifts were a great blessing to the congregation, enabling some to reestablish their businesses and others to repair their homes.

At the time of the earthquake, this church was one of two church edifices in the city left standing. This afforded a unique opportunity to show good fellowship with the other denominations. Use of the building was offered to local ministers to hold their own services.

During the reconstruction period, the president and church members considered obtaining a lot with a view to erect a new church home. The property at the southwest corner of Valerio and Santa Barbara Streets was selected and purchased.

Current new Church Built in 1930

In early 1930,a building committee was appointed and work to clear the lot began. A small house on the property was sold and many unneeded old trees were removed. As the Depression was at its height, local banks were not forthcoming with loans large enough to cover the cost of building. Church member Mrs. Lora J. Knight offered a generous sum to meet the need. A further motive for building came from the fact that employment was especially needed in the town. Construction took about two years.

In 1941, a church member purchased the former church property at Micheltorena and Anacapa Streets, thereby hastening the date of the dedication of this structure. March 26, 1944 was then chosen as the day for the dedication service. Christian Science branch churches are "dedicated" only when all debt owed on the property is paid off.

Architectural Design

Santa Barbara architecture generally follows the Spanish Revival motif. This structure is largely Byzantine and Romanesque in style, although renowned architect Henry Gutterson made a few allowances to suit a Mediterranean template. Smooth masonry walls and deep red roof tiles both deviate from the patterned brick and rusticated finishes of Byzantine architecture. The Romanesque traditional influence is demonstrated in the strong structural statement, where weight and composition pervade.

The centrally planned church draws predominantly from Early Christian design elements. Representing the vault of heaven, the Byzantine dome typically rests on four naves, with an encircling ring of windows at the base of the dome for the chief source of lighting. Such windows are not present here. Instead, ascension to the central dome is impressed through subsidiary domes that demarcate interior vestibules.

Following the dome-over-square plan, the four elevations are capped with projecting gable ends. The compact Byzantine treatment of dividing windows into groups of two or three with mullion columns has been expanded. Three of the gabled projections display a set of paired stained glass windows and circular Romanesque windows sunk deep into the ribbed arches.

Clustered columns with cushioned capitals support a line of springing Roman arches, accentuating an expansive gabled portico that trails from Santa Barbara Street, with a similar arcade running perpendicular from Valerio Street. In contrast to the cross-vaulted ceiling of the Santa Barbara Street extension, the Valerio Street arcade offers a flat wood finish.

Its seating capacity is 750 and can be increased to approximately 1,000 through opening the highest balcony.

The organ is a Moller purchased in 1930 from a location in Los Angeles and reinstalled in this structure.

Lockwood deForest was chosen to plan the garden. There were many fine trees already on the lot, and as time went on, gifts of magnolias and other varieties were received. Two sisters, Mrs. Ella G. Reeve and Mrs. Mary G. Hutchinson, gave the fountain located in the center courtyard in memory of a loved one. The inscription, which exactly fits the octagonal face of the fountain, is from Revelation 21:6, "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

The Christian Science Reading Room
1301 State Street, Santa Barbara

Two blocks above La Arcada Court on State Street there was a block of property consisting of three parcels amounting to slightly under sixty-five feet of frontage and measuring a hundred feet in depth. The stipulation of the owner was that the property must be sold in one piece. About 1949 the Church decided to purchase the corner parcel. A single story with vaulted ceiling was decided upon. Mr. Kem Weber, an internationally known architectural designer, was engaged, in association with Mr. Roy W. Cheesman, a Santa Barbara architect, to prepare plans. By the time the building began the lot was clear of debt.

The aim of the designers was, as an article in the Santa Barbara News-Press later recorded, "To form a unit with the neighboring Fox-Arlington Theatre" and to build in "harmony with Santa Barbara Spanish architecture." As a corner building the Reading Room has an artistically designed corner entrance. The modern structure with red tile roof and streamlined curves is of reinforced concrete, fireproof, and as nearly earthquake-proof as possible, the newspaper account said.

The lower portion is bush-hammered concrete, which gives it an interesting texture and at the same time provides a guaranty against defacing. The upper portion is of white plaster. Window frames and those of the show window and display case are of aluminum. Double doors are of herculite glass.

The interior, in the designing of which Mr. Weber participated both as designer and decorator, rises two stories to a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. The squares of black walnut paneling become a high wainscot in the main reading room, with acoustical plaster above, insuring silence. Desks and built-in cabinets are of the same wood, with sliding trays to fit under the display counter. Herman Miller desks and modern chairs and divans cushioned in mulberry friese were ordered.

The Reading Room has radiant forced-air heat, air conditioning, and neon lights. In the garden room the original plan provided a ceramic floor and a drip fountain. A flower planter divided this area from the main room. Two lavatories and a coat closet complete the floor plan.

The Reading Room won a plaque from the City commending it as "one of the outstanding buildings in Santa Barbara." Mr. Weber was strict in not permitting any gifts of vases or ornaments, but a special display case exhibited a gift of the then recent Limited Edition of Science and Health. Built-in black walnut files make copies of The Christian Science Monitor available for six months back, as well as the current edition. Also unique is a filing cabinet with index to all periodicals from the early issues to the present.

The target date for opening was October 1, 1951. The committee worked early and late moving things in. All went beautifully until notice was received that the Herman Miller factory could not deliver the furniture on time. After much prayer, telegraphing, and long-distance calls, it was flown out - on time.

Although when the building started, the only asset had been a lot clear of debt, financing was completed and paid in full within three years.