One of the world’s leading teachers and ministers of metaphysics was Reverend William H. D. Hornaday(1911 - 1992) of Founder’s Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles, California. Reverend William Hornaday, affectionately known as "Dr. Bill" to his congregation of over 7,000, is the leading minister at Founder's Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles, California. A former business executive, Hornaday earned his Doctor of Divinity in 1952 and studied under such prominent people as Carl Jung, Albert Schweitzer, Karl Barth, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Ernest Holmes.His daily inspirational radio program,
"This Thing Called Life," had aired since the 1970s in Southern California, and worldwide via the Armed Forces Radio Service.
It was on prodding from his mother-in-law that he went to hear Ernest Holmes. Speaking of the higher consciousness, Ernest said,
‘There’s a power greater than you, and you can use it.’
Books he has written include My Prayer For You, Today; Life Everlasting; Success Unlimited; Help For Today; and Your Aladdin's Lamp (with Harlan Ware).
Hornaday had a dream of a permanent home for his congregation. Dr. Bill discussed his vision for Religious Science with Dr. Holmes. At first, Dr. Holmes was hesitant, but it didn’t take long for Dr. Holmes to see the beauty of a Mother Church and what a symbol it would be for all. A gentleman’s agreement was reached and began to take tangible form when ground for Founder’s Church was broken in 1958 at Sixth and Berendo Streets.
On October 18, 1958, Dr. Holmes, assisted by Dr. Norman Lan Valkenberg, board members and staff, laid the cornerstone and time capsule to be opened in the year 2059. Items included in the capsule were the Holy Bible, a Science of Mind textbook, the October issue of Science of Mind magazine, and a special message from Dr. Bill. On January 3, 1960 the dedication of Founder’s Church took place. Dr. Ernest Holmes gave the dedication address on the auspicious day. On July 26, 1964, Holmes Memorial Chapel was dedicated
“to the light of God in man, in which Light he walks.”
Founder’s initial fund raiser in 1958 was started by a young girl who, after hearing Dr. Bill talk about his dream of a new church during a service at the Wiltern, told her parents that she wanted to talk to him. The little girl was introduced to Dr. Bill and she joyfully handed him three pennies from her purse and said,
“Build your church.”
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