PART 5 THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST

THEIR HISTORY AND FOUNDER

The beginnings and history of the Church of Christ Scientist must include its founder Mary Ann Baker who was also known by her Christian Science disciples as "Mother, Leader, Discoverer and Founder" of the Christian Science movement.  Mary Baker was born in New Hampshire on July 16, 1821, and died on December 3, 1910 at the age of 89.  Her father, Mark, and her mother, Abigail, were strict Congregational church members and had a total of six children between the years 1808 and 1821:  Samuel, Albert, George, Abigal, Martha and Mary.  The Baker family was constantly plagued with sickness, disease and death.  Her father, his two eldest daughters and two sons all died from cancer and Mary Baker also suffered from various kinds of physical aliments, including spinal problems.

On December 12, 1843, at the age of 22, Mary Baker married George Washington Glover.  Just six months later, in June 1844, George died from yellow fever while they lived in North Carolina.  After her husband's death, Mary gave birth to a son on September 12, 1844, and named him George Washington Glover II.  Mary Baker's second husband was a dentist, Daniel Patterson, whom she wed on June 21, 1853.  This marriage was one marked by turmoil and, as a result, lasted until 1866 when the two separated.  Seven years later, in 1873, Mary obtained a divorce on the grounds of desertion and adultery.