LOS ANGELES CUTS THE RIBBON ON A NEW IDEAL CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

The world’s first Church of Scientology, formed in 1954, joined the global roster of Ideal Churches of Scientology on April 24, 2010. Six thousand parishioners, guests and Los Angeles-area officials were on hand as Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, officiated at the ceremony dedicating the new Church.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the full-scale redesign and construction of the Church’s 64,571-square-foot property at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and L. Ron Hubbard Way. The building is now fully reconfigured as an Ideal Church of Scientology, one that not only serves the entire community but also stands as a training center for Church executives and staff from around the world.

Describing the significance of the occasion, Mr. Miscavige said: “Today marks a milestone step in our planetary crusade to bring on our help on a truly global scale—so that one day there is no crime, no war, no insanity, a world in which Man is free to rise to greater heights.”

In describing the significance of the city of Los Angeles to Scientologists, Mr. Miscavige said: “It’s the city where the Church of Scientology was first incorporated in 1954.  While even more than that, it’s the city with the largest concentration of Scientologists on Earth.”

Also commemorating the occasion was Ms. Karen Bass, Speaker Emeritus of the California State Assembly: “As a public servant, I try to do everything in my power to give a voice to the voiceless, and to guarantee that no one goes unheard.  But through human rights education, we empower everyone to lift their voice and to be heard. The Church of Scientology I know has made a difference, because your Creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere.”

Los Angeles City Council member and historic preservationist Paul Koretz spoke of the Church’s place in the rebirth of Hollywood: “Those of us in the city long had a dream for Hollywood.  It was for a Phoenix to rise from the ashes, after decades of decline.  We needed to transform Hollywood with a cultural revitalization, one that would then ripple out across all of LA.  What we are witnessing here is the essence of that Hollywood transformation.  Because if ever today there is an example of making this the city of our dreams, it is the Church of Scientology... In renovating this landmark, you have gone beyond all of our expectations for what the new Hollywood can be.”

Formerly a functional building annexed to the 1928 Art Deco Cedars of Lebanon Hospital buildings designed by Claud Beelman, the massive reconstruction began in November 2009 and encompasses new walls, all new ceilings and finishes, as well as furniture constructed in-house at the Church’s state-of-the-art custom mill with imported wood and marble from Italy.

In addition to an expansive Chapel are many unique elements including an extensive public information area with 20 multimedia displays to provide answers to the question, “What is Scientology?” The new Church further includes a library, seminar rooms, film rooms, volunteer workspaces for its many social and community programs and projects, course rooms that seat over 480, and 35 rooms especially appointed for the religion’s one-on-one spiritual counseling.

The Greater Los Angeles area is the seat of the religion’s Mother Church, Church of Scientology International, and Bridge Publications who publish and disseminate Mr. Hubbard’s books and recorded lectures for all of North America.  Worldwide, there are more than 8,500 Scientology Churches, Missions and affiliated groups in 165 countries.