How did Mary Baker Eddy’s move to Boston help Christian Science grow?

Mary Baker Eddy’s move to Boston in 1882 was a pivotal factor in the growth of Christian Science. While she had previously established a following in Lynn, Massachusetts, the movement began to expand significantly during her years in Boston (1882–1889).1

Several key developments during this period facilitated this growth:

• Educational Outreach: Eddy chartered the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in 1881. The healing work performed by her students from this institution was a primary driver of the movement's expansion.1
• Intellectual Environment: Boston served as an intellectual center where new religious ideas spread rapidly. This environment allowed Eddy to present Christian Science as a distinct alternative to both orthodox and liberal forms of Protestantism, attracting many disaffected mainstream Christians.2
• Institutional Development: During this time, Eddy taught hundreds of students, continued to refine her textbook, Science and Health, and founded a monthly magazine to disseminate her teachings.2

These efforts helped the movement grow from a small group of followers to nearly 100 congregations by the end of the 1880s.1