P01549Laura E. Sargent (1857-1915) and her sister and fellow Christian
Scientist, Victoria H. Sargent, married brothers, giving them both the same married last
name. Laura Sargent first studied with Mary Baker Eddy in the class on Christian Science
that she taught in Chicago in 1884. She also attended another of Eddy's Primary classes
in December of that year and went through other classes with her in 1886 and 1887. In June 1886,
she was part of a group in Oconto, Wisconsin, that founded the first Christian Science branch church.
She was one of the First Members of The Mother Church, later known as "Executive Members," who was one
of twenty elected to join the original twelve members of the church when it was formed on September 23, 1892.
Sargent joined Eddy's household staff in 1890 and served on and off, for months or years
at a time, for the next twenty years. At Eddy's request, she served as custodian of the
Mother's Room in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston (Original Edifice) from 1895 to 1899. She
lived continuously in Eddy's homes at Pleasant View and then at Chestnut Hill from 1903
to 1910. Eddy often depended on her for prayerful support. In 1913, she taught the
Normal Class of the Board of Education, training a class of Christian Science teachers.
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