DeLand’s Christian Science church is beginning to see light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel.

More than a year ago, on April 26, 2023, during a Wednesday-evening church service, the northern part of the roof structure collapsed in the church’s 100-plus-year-old building at 111 E. New York Ave. in Downtown DeLand.

A wooden roof member 14 inches wide and 2 inches thick suddenly cracked, sending a shudder through the building, which stands between Boston Coffeehouse and Pizza Hut. 

Because of three layers of ceiling added during the church’s long history in the location, members of the congregation present at the time couldn’t see what had happened. The church service proceeded, and church members concluded the apparent explosion had its source somewhere else in the neighborhood.

It wasn’t until three days later, when water started leaking through the roof, that the damage was discovered. Water was pumped off the roof, a contractor was employed, the City of DeLand declared the structure unsafe, the church found an alternate location for its services, and the work of rebuilding began.

Complicating the task, the church’s insurance company denied the claim for damages. The church and the insurance company are still in negotiations 15 months later.

But restoration has been ongoing, with a rebuilt roof structure, a new roof, a new gutter system along the back, and the heat-and-air system working again inside. 

The church is grateful to Around-the-Clock Restoration, Ken Goldberg Construction Co., EPI Engineering Services, Gordon Johnson Job Expediting, Mike Flowers of Hontoon Outdoors, Brett Cain’s Bread King, Cameron Gilmore and Sons Carpentry, Youngblood House Movers, IMS Roofing, DeLand Metalcraft, Master Heat & Air Conditioning, Casey’s Electric, Kirk Gunby of Gunby & Co., the City of DeLand Building Department, and other local businesses that have helped with the work.

Most recently, the church was able to re-establish its display in the front window, which features passages from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook. This display is frequently enjoyed by passersby on the busy Downtown DeLand street.

The selected passages are drawn from the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson, which is studied by students of Christian Science around the world. The lessons are compiled by a team in Boston (the location of the Christian Science Mother Church), using the Bible (usually the King James version) and Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, written by Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science.

The two books — the Bible and the textbook — are the pastors of every Christian Science church. No human pastors are employed.

Anyone interested in visiting the church or learning more about Christian Science is welcome to the services, temporarily meeting at 114 W. New York Ave. in DeLand, at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

What does it mean to be a ‘church,’ anyway?

In the Christian Science textbook, author Mary Baker Eddy defines “church” as:

“The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.

“The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”

Church members note that, by this definition, DeLand’s Christian Science church remains untouched by decay, damage or dislocation.

— Shepherd, the publisher of The Beacon, is chairman and treasurer of First Church of Christ, Scientist, DeLand, where she has attended for more than 30 years.