The First Church Christ Scientist

A beautiful former church built on Prestigious Grand Avenue, sits dormant awaiting its destruction.

(disclosure.... this is private property and security signs are all over. If you want to see this beautiful building please only look as it is being monitored)

The old former First Christ Scientist Church in Des Moines is a branch of the Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1903, the First Christ Scientist Church in Des Moines was located at 927 Eighth Street. In 1932 a new church was built at the current location, 3750 Grand Avenue. The first service was held on May 1, 1932, and was formally dedicated on September 24, 1944. And the last service was held in July 2010 and services were moved to the West Des Moines location. A cornerstone was transferred to the church from the original edifice.

Architectural designers of this marvelous building were the architectural firm Proudfoot, Rawson, Brooks & Borg. The style is a modern adaption of early English church design, faced with Wisconsin lannostone and trimmed in bedford stone. Almost all of the windows are especially beautiful with stained glass. The chapel is grand with high ceilings, exposed beams and a balcony.

Photos of the inside can be seen here on flickr

and more photos here on flickr

In December of 2008 the property was listed for 3.1 million. After four years, the property finally sold for $775,000 and was purchased by Wesley Life. The new owner did not have specific plans for the former church, but later announced to Wesley Acres Retirement Community that the building would be razed and condominiums would be built.

September 2017

As of September 2017 the building is still standing. The lawn maintenance is kept up, but not much else has been done. Most of the windows have been boarded up, stained glass broken and there are Private Property and Security cameras in use signs all over. It's sad that this gorgeous building will be torn down someday. So why did the church sell the building and relocate to West Des Moines? I am not a member of this church and haven't been to this church so I am only speculating. Perhaps maintenance on such a huge old building was too costly. Maybe membership dwindled over the years and they did not need such a large church. No matter, this former church is still beautiful and grand.