The First Gift – December 24, 1920
Beacon Haven was originally incorporated in 1922 as Star of Bethlehem Home in Minnesota to serve those who rely on Christian Science for healing. The proposal to start this mission began as a gift presented by a group of students of Miss Abigail Dyer Thompson during a dinner on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1920.
The idea of the Star of Bethlehem Home grew out of a loving thought of gratitude expressed by Mrs. Alta M. Harrison, a well-known practitioner of Christian Science in Minneapolis, who was an early patient of Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher Mrs. Emma A. Thompson. Mrs. Harrison was a student in Miss Abigail Dyer Thompson’s 1913 Christian Science class, and she grew to be one of the most helpful workers among the east side Christian Science practitioners.
Emma A. Thompson portrait by Elizabeth Piutti-Barth. Longyear Museum Collection.
Abigail D. Thompson Portrait by Elizabeth Piutti-Barth. Longyear Museum Collection
At the close of the 1920 association meeting of the students of Abigail Dyer Thompson, Mrs. Harrison spoke to Mrs. Louise W. Chapman, another active worker in the Christian Science movement, of her great desire to express to Miss Thompson in some tangible form her gratitude for the inspiration she had received from the class, and for the association meetings held each year for the benefit of the students. Mrs. Chapman, in turn, spoke to Mr. Henry Deutsch, another student of Miss Thompson, of Mrs. Harrison’s desire, and here the idea crystalized into a plan for a Christian Science home to be built in the city of Minneapolis, by Miss Thompson’s students.
In the past, the healing work had seemed greatly handicapped by the ever apparent lack of a place to take the sick and suffering where they might have proper care, and for the healing work of Christian Science be carried on without medical interference.
Immediately following these conversations after the association meeting, some work was done very quietly among a few of the older students, and as a result, on Christmas evening 1920, at a dinner given for Miss Thompson by Mr. and Mrs. Terry McCosker at their home at 42 Willow Street on Loring Park in Minneapolis. Along with the hosts, Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Chapman, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Deutsch presented their plans for the establishment of a Christian Science home.
After the dinner, Mr. Deutsch began by expressing the purpose of the gathering, and spoke earnestly of the deep gratitude that was felt by so many, particularly by a large group of Miss Thompson’s students for the example and work of her mother Mrs. Emma A. Thompson. He then stated that this had evolved into a desire to give a tangible expression of appreciation for her pioneering and successful work in the Christian Science field in Minneapolis. The most fitting expression might be in the establishment of a home where Christian Scientists may find a haven where they could obtain help in Christian Science amid favorable surroundings. He then stated that the plan had taken form in contributions from some of the students represented that evening in the amount of a check for $5,000 which he presented to Miss Thompson.
a desire to give a tangible expression of appreciation for her pioneering and successful work in the Christian Science field in Minneapolis
Up to this evening the entire plan had been carefully kept from Miss Thompson, and the check came to her as a complete and beautiful surprise.
The prospects of fulfilling one great need for furthering the cause of Christian Science in the field where she and her mother had faithfully carried on the
Files containing personal notes of Mrs. Emma Thompson’s healings. Longyear Museum vault.
ir work for so many years, at times under great adversity, gave Miss Thompson almost inexpressable happiness.
Source note. This description of events from 1920 are derived from the personal journals of Miss Abigail Dyer Thompson; the original journals are kept in secure storage at Beacon Haven.
