James E. Brierly (1852-1926) was born in Millbury, Massachusetts, and died in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He became interested in Christian Science in 1884 when his wife, Ruth A. Brierly, was healed by Seabury T. Manley. James E. Brierly studied with Mary Baker Eddy, completing the Primary (1885) and Normal (1887) classes. He joined the Christian Scientist Association on October 7, 1885, and joined the The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 5, 1892. In 1887, he moved to New Bedford and began holding Christian Science church services in his office at 187 Middle Street. In 1893, he helped organize what would become First Church of Christ, Scientist, New Bedford, serving as Pastor and then First Reader from 1893-1902. Brierly was also a Christian Science practitioner and teacher and was listed in the directory of The Christian Science Journal from 1892 until his passing.

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