In 1916, The Christian Science Board of Directors announced the founding of The Christian Science Benevolent Association stating: “It is our pleasure and privilege to announce to the field that preliminary steps have just been taken toward the formation of a new and important department of the organized work of Christian Science, to be known as The Christian Science Benevolent Association.”
—Christian Science Sentinel, October 7, 1916

In 1919, the doors opened to provide this unique service in the history of mankind. In 1981, The Mother Church transferred ownership of The Christian Science Benevolent Association from an Affiliated Trusteeship of The Mother Church to autonomous control under the direction of a Board of Trustees, and renamed it Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association.