Augusta E. Stetson

Augusta Emma Stetson (née Simmons) (1842–1928) was an American poet and Christian Science leader.

Life
Born in Waldoboro, Maine, she studied at the Blish School of Oratory in Boston, and in 1884 received the degree of Doctor of Christian Science (C.S.D.) from the Massachusetts Metaphysical College. She then began Christian Science healing in Boston, and in 1885 led the service on alternate Sundays at Chickering Hall. The next year she was sent by Mrs. Eddy to New York City, where she organized the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1887. She was appointed pastor of that church in 1888 and in 1895 was made first reader when the title of pastor was changed in all Christian Science churches. For a time she was also principal of the New York City Christian Science Institute (chartertered 1878)

In the early 1900s, Mrs. Stetson raised more than $1,250,000 to build a structure for the use of First Church, on West 96th Street at Central Park West and it was dedicated free of debt. In 1909 she was excommunicated by the Mother Church at Boston, on charges of insubordination and of false teaching.

Mrs. Stetson believed that Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, would be resurrected after her death.

Publications

 * Poems (1901; second edition, 1910)
 * Reminiscences, Sermons, and Correspondence (1913)
 * Vital Issues in Christian Science (1914)