Leighton Buzzard Christian Science Church

14 Hockliffe Street from the east November 2008

Leighton Buzzard has had a fairly wide variety of religious groups in the last century. Even so it is, perhaps, a little surprising to find a Christian Science church in the town in 1927. The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts by Mary Baker Eddy and should not be confused with the Church of Scientology which was invented by science fiction writer L.Ron Hubbard in 1953. Christian Science divorces God from the material World and adherents often refuse medical treatment as there is a strong strand of belief in miraculous healing in the church.

The Meeting in Leighton Buzzard was at 14 Hockliffe Street, as noted by the valuer under the Rating and Valuation Act in 1927. The act stated that every piece of land and building in the country had to be valued to determine the rates to be paid on it. The valuer noted [DV1/R80/38] that The Liberal Club occupied part of 14 Hockliffe Street and that the building was owned by Mrs.E.Goodson. One room on the first floor was occupied by the Christian Science Society. The valuer reported "only used for religious purposes on Sundays and Religious study on Tuesday and Thursday".

14 Hockliffe Street from the west November 2008