American Christian denomination founded by Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910). The Church of Christ, Scientist combines biblical devotion with faith in the healing powers of God through prayer. Expanding as the nation negotiated modernity at the turn of the twentieth century its numbers peaked after the Second World War, with between 100,000 and 150,000 adherents worldwide. Known for imposing churches as well as many urban reading rooms, the church has also published the influential national newspaper Christian Science Monitor and made other forays into mass media.