Christian Science Author Bliss Knapp Biography and Publication Index

Extraordinary Career of Bliss Knapp CSB
1. Practitioner
2. Teacher, Age 30
3. Lecturer, Age 27 for 21 years
4. Bible Lesson committee, Mother Church
5. President, Mother Church, Age 35
6. Treasurer, Mother Church
7. First reader, Mother Church
8. Author Periodicals
9. Author, The Destiny of The Mother Church
10. Annual Meeting Speaker 
11. $250,000,000 donor to Mother Church, 1958
   $2,630,856,401 adjusted for inflation, 2023

Bliss Knapp's parents were important early workers for the Christian Science Movement and whose healing, teaching, lecturing, writing and other immeasurable contributions blessed countless people and the Cause of Christian Science.

Ira and Flavia Knapp were two students of Mrs. Eddy who were  instrumental in the building of the original Mother Church in Boston. They were among the “First Members” selected by Mrs. Eddy when she re-organized the Church in 1892, and Mr. Knapp was one of the original Directors.

The Knapp family moved to Boston in 1888 in order to serve the Cause. Ira Knapp’s unswerving faith in Mrs. Eddy as the God-directed woman in the Apocalypse, made him one of her most trusted students. Bliss Knapp tells of his father’s invaluable service to Mrs. Eddy in the building of the original edifice of The Mother Church. 

At times, he stood alone with her in her efforts to establish the Church on a spiritual foundation, when others were opposing her method in doing this.

BLISS KNAPP had an extraordinary career serving the Cause of Christian Science. He was born on a farm in northern New Hampshire, where at the age of ten he first met Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. The Bliss Knapp family became close to Mrs. Eddy and at her urging, that he attend Harvard College. 

Upon graduation, Mrs. Eddy appointed him to The Christian Science Board of Lecturership.  Show all