The First Center for Spiritual Living NYC (former the First Church of Religious Science) is a center for spiritual living in the heart of Manhattan, New York City. Legendary Dr. Raymond Charles Barker founded the First Center for Spiritual Living (former the First Church of Religious Science) in 1946 by the request of Dr. Ernest Holmes' who is the founder of Religious Science. Dr. Barker was the minister of the church from 1946 to 1979. Some of his students included future Religious Science leaders Stuart Grayson and Louise Hay.Upon Dr. Barker's retirement from the ministry in 1979, he was succeeded by Rev Dr. Stuart Grayson, and then Rev Wade Adkisson. Now, Dr. Greg Harte assumed the title of Pastor/Spiritual Director on the passing of Wade Adkisson in 2018.