First Church of Christ, Scientist, located in South Bend, Indiana, was chartered in August of 1898 by a group of local residents who had been reading, studying and applying the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. Many physical healings were taking place.

With the encouragement and financial aid from other Christian Scientists around the country-Chicago and New York specifically-they established first an organization, then grew into a church building. 

The first service in the 350-seat building at Main Street and Madison Ave., was held in September 1906. The founders of the original South Bend church corresponded with Mrs. Eddy frequently updated her of their progress and told her how much they benefited from studying and applying Christian Science. 

In the second issue of the "Christian Science Weekly" (which later became the "Christian Science Sentinel"), Mrs. Eddy mentioned the South Bend church and spoke about the growth of Christian Science. 

By 1916, the church had outgrown its capacity and was providing morning and evening services on Sunday to accommodate the increase in attendance. Plans were drawn to erect a new building on the same location as the original, thus increasing capacity from 350 to 900 people. A Chicago-based architect, Leon Stanhope, designed a neo-classical building for the congregation, which required additional land to be purchased to the larger building. It featured a pipe organ built by E.M. Skinner and donated by Mrs. J.M. Studebaker. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on September 9, 1916. By March 27, 1918 the building was completed, and the first service in the new sanctuary was held that Easter Sunday.

This building would be home to the South Bend congregation for several generations until moving into the church’s third building at 1237 North Ironwood Dr. in 1981. After some renovation this neo-classical 1918 building located downtown South Bend now serves as the home of the South Bend Civic Theater.

Currently the church is located at 1801 South Ironwood Dr. and the Reading Room at 1805 South Ironwood Dr. having moved in 2018.

On October 4, 1998 a Centennial Commemoration Service was held, celebrating 100 years of Christian Science in South Bend.