History

The idea for Daystar Home dates back to the late 1950s, when members of several Boston-area branch churches recognized the need for a retirement home for Christian Scientists. To explore possibilities, interested members formed a committee. They drew up by-laws, chose the name Daystar for the home, and formed the non-profit Daystar Foundation. They also held meetings throughout the area to present the plans.

Committee members also began searching for a suitable location, looking at sites as far north as Danvers and as far south as Hingham. In 1966 they purchased a parcel of land near the center of Needham and hired an architect. Construction began in 1970. Although obstacles loomed large as they sought to build a home for 20 residents, one by one they met each challenge. These ranged from zoning issues and high interest rates to a strike by concrete suppliers.

One of the devoted workers on the project left a sizable legacy to Daystar, providing important seed money. To help raise additional funds, people were given the opportunity to buy a part of the home with specific gifts: $10 would buy 100 bricks, $200 would buy a window, $1,000 a fireplace, and $10,000 a resident’s room.

The first resident moved in on April 2, 1971. By the time of Daystar's Annual Meeting in 1972, all the rooms were occupied. The decade-long project had come to fruition.