Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Minneapolis – Downtown

This congregation was organized by Mrs. Emma Thompson and her daughter, Miss Abigail Dyer Thompson, both of whom trained with Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy.  Mrs. Thompson had trained in the Christian Science Metaphysical College in Boston, which was subsequently closed in 1889. In 1886, Mrs. Eddy instructed Miss Thompson, to start a second Christian Science church in Minneapolis. The subsequent church was founded in January 1897 and incorporated in December of that year. Mother and daughter both attended a legendary last class held by Mrs. Eddy in her home in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1898. 

The meeting originally occurred in the Swedenborgian Church at the corner of 5th Ave. South and 9th Street. In June 1898 the congregation moved to the Second Adventist Church at 2nd Ave., South, and 14th Street, and in October 1900 to the Lyceum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue (later renamed the Lyric Theatre). Sunday school meetings at the time continued in the Adventist church but were later moved to the Unitarian Church at 8th Street South and Mary Place. Subsequent Sunday services were also held in the Unitarian Church. 

The congregation obtained land for a new building at 2nd Ave. South and 11th Street in 1899, laying the cornerstone for the church on October 13, 1901. This English Gothic building stood 40-feet from the street and was reached by a sweeping flight of steps that extended across the entire front of the building. The interior beams were of oak, with oak leaf ornament on the end of the hammerheads. Additional oak leaf and acorn ornamentation, seen as an emblem of hospitality, appeared throughout the church. In addition, carved fern leaves (fidelity), along with other flowers indicated further characteristics: lily, purity; wild rose, love; ivy, constancy; and grape and vine, fruitage. A stained glass rose window was over the main entrance with a "Shepard Window" in the south transept. 

In May 1930 the congregation began construction on a tower to house a new reading room and offices. The building was completed a year later. Designed by architect Thomas R. Kimball, featured the Moderne style in a Ziggurat shape. It was sold in 1965 to an investment company and subsequently stood empty at the end of the 20th century. While the original church no longer exists, the tower, renamed Ivy Tower, was restored in 2008, becoming part of a luxury hotel and condo complex.