Crestwood Divine Science Church Sketch by Shari Bernatz

Dr. Max Ballard studied with Nona Brooks (one of the founders of Divine Science), and was ordained by her in 1941. Because of his superior work, the degree of Doctor of Divine Science was conferred on him in 1944.  He became minister of the First Divine Science Church in St. Louis in 1956. With a rapidly growing congregation and changes in the city's population, Dr. Ballard dreamed of a new church in the county to accommodate members who had moved to the suburbs.

The Divine Science Church of Crestwood is the culmination of that dream. Under Dr. Ballard's leadership, a study for new church facilities led to the purchase of a four acre site. The new church would be a joint venture, with membership being valid in either church and both churches governed under the same Board of Directors. Church members responded with a unanimous vote of approval and raised the funds needed for construction. In less than a year the property was paid for. The new church was completed and furnished in time for Easter service in 1964. The sanctuary, which seats about 225, was filled to capacity. Additional chairs were placed in the aisles, people stood in the foyer, and speakers added in the library so everyone could hear the service. Standing-room-only was a tribute to this grand new House of Prayer.
 

sketch by Shari Bernatz

MODERN ARCHITECTURE The first thing visitors notice about the church is the unusual design. Architect Rex Becker worked with Reverend Ballard in designing the church with an eye to the religious interpretations of Divine Science. Together they agreed the altar should be located in the center of the sanctuary with the congregation, choir, and minister all facing it as the focal point. They concluded that orthodox symbols would not convey the intensity of faith in the immediacy of the Christ Presence --the true light "which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." So they portrayed symbolically, through a shaft of light that floods the altar, the Omnipresence of God, Divine Love pouring itself through the consciousness of humanity. As you enter the sanctuary visually you are drawn not to the pulpit or the choir, but to the Light shining from the apex of the roof onto the central altar. From the very beginning the worshiper is reminded of the Truth, "God is Light. In Him there is no darkness at all." And it reminds us all, "Ye are the light of the world."

A great deal of credit goes to the Board which served both churches when the Crestwood church was built, and which continued to serve both churches for the next ten years. Also to Dr. Ballard who, with an assistant, conducted services and classes at both churches until 1969 when Dr. Ballard accepted a call to the church in Washington, D.C. Ultimately the administration of two churches under one Board became too cumbersome and the churches separated in 1974. The Divine Science Church of Crestwood was incorporated in Missouri in May, 1975.

The First Divine Science Church of Belleville, the oldest Divine Science Church east of the Mississippi, began on October 16, 1908 when nine people met at the home of Anna Stolberg, mother of church founders Emma and Lisette Stolberg. The group was eager to learn more about a new found religion which could be applied to everyday living, bringing them blessings of health, happiness, peace, and prosperity.

How did this family of German heritage become interested in Divine Science? Miss Emma gave this account:  Miss Lisette was searching for a fulfilling religion. As she walked along the street in nearby St. Louis one Sunday morning, she came upon a church where a Divine Science service was in progress. Hearing the strains of "Love Lifted Me," she felt drawn inside. She was so impressed with what she heard that she persuaded the rest of her family to attend with her on subsequent Sundays. Miss Lisette was then 46 years old, and Miss Emma was 41.

The Stolberg sisters took the required courses in Divine Science at the St. Louis church. Following this, Miss Emma became the leader of the Belleville group, with Miss Lisette acting as her assistant in charge of the Sunday School. The Sunday School began October 9, 1911 with one student for an entire year. By the end of the 1915, 25 children were attending.

After that first meeting with nine people, the group met in each other's homes for three years until  they decided to rent rooms on East Main Street. In 1914 the church was formally organized with 40 members. The Stolberg sisters were ordained to the ministry of Divine Science in 1916 by the Reverend H. H. Schroeder, minister of the St. Louis Divine Science Church.
 

A building fund was established in 1920; land for construction was secured a year later. In 1921 the Church was incorporated, and in June 1923, building plans were initiated.  December 1923 saw the ground breaking; the cornerstone was laid in September 1924.  The first service in the new church was held March 1, 1925. On this occasion when the church was dedicated, the congregation was 100 members strong.

artist's rendering by Art Buechler

Today the First Divine Science Church of Belleville proudly carries on the traditional teachings of Divine Science at the same location.