Margaret M. Pinkham
A MIRACLE IN STONE:
The History of the Building of the Original Mother Church,
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, 1894

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A Miracle in Stone is the type of analysis and documentation that such a significant building richly deserves. Begun as a master thesis, it quickly became a labor of love that resulted in a magnum opus. Here readers will find a thorough examination of the context and the process for the building of the Christian Science Mother Church. Reinforcing her deep reading of the building is an expansive archive of all relevant documents. This resource will be of great value to students of American architecture, building and craftsmanship, stained glass and ornamental arts, Boston, church history, and the Christian Science faith. -Keith N. Morgan, Professor of Art History, Boston University

The attention to all of the particulars of the edifice, from financing, planning, and building, to following new building codes and fulfilling Mrs. Eddy's many expectations, within the context of the overall building of Boston's Back Bay, is of particular interest not only to Christian Scientists, but to architectural historians and scholars of American vernacular architecture as well. -Paul Eli Ivey, Associate Professor of Art History, University of Arizona

In this groundbreaking publication Margaret Pinkham brings together extensive documentation regarding the building of the Original Mother Church. Out of the disparate building blocks of historical evidence-from reminiscences to receipts for building materials-she has constructed a compelling, illuminating narrative of this unique and treasured church edifice. -Gail Hewitt, Longyear Museum

An inspiring story of the development of the Christian Science original Mother Church structure in the late 1800s. Her thoroughly researched work includes extensive detail with original documentation, and will appeal to both architectural historians and to those who cherish the spiritual foundation of the church. The book is superlative. -Lamar Smith, Member of Congress