Church of Scientology opens new Twin Cities landmark church

The latest Ideal Org opening:

Scientologists, guests, state and city officials assembled in downtown St. Paul, Saturday October 22, for the dedication of the new Church of Scientology Twin Cities. The Church stands at 505 Wabasha Street and was formerly home to the Science Museum of Minnesota. The acquisition of the 82,000-square-foot facility in the heart of St. Paul was necessitated by the meteoric growth of the resident Scientology community. The Church of Scientology Twin Cities is now the largest Scientology facility in the American Midwest and will serve parishioners from Wisconsin to the Dakotas.

Located just blocks from the State Capitol and St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Church is additionally adjacent to the famed Fitzgerald Theater and so forms an “historic square” of buildings in downtown St. Paul. The premises were carefully renovated to preserve its most memorable features, including the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Wabasha Street and the three-story atrium. Also faithfully preserved was the original 300-seat IMAX Theater, now to serve as the Scientology Chapel and community meeting ground for citizens of all denominations.

Just off the expansive reception is a Public Information Center presenting the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion as well as the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Information Center further provides an overview of the many Church-sponsored humanitarian programs. These programs include a worldwide human rights initiative, an equally far-ranging drug education and prevention campaign, global networks of literacy and learning centers and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program now comprising the largest independent relief force on Earth. The multimedia displays include nearly 500 documentary films.

In tribute to the import of the occasion, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, officiated at the ceremony. In pointing to the significance of the day, Mr. Miscavige cited all that new Ideal Churches of Scientology traditionally bring to their surrounding communities, pledging the Church’s resources and support across a broad range of civic programs for the benefit of all citizens. Thus, by dedicating a new Church for Minneapolis and St. Paul comes the inauguration of a new partnership in Twin Cities.

Welcoming the new Church were St. Paul City Councilmember Dave Thune; Minnesota State Senator Sandra Pappas; Minnesota State Representative Rena Moran; and President of the Minneapolis Chapter of MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder), Mr. V.J. Smith.

In his salutary address, City Councilmember Dave Thune said: “I’m so happy to see that the Church of Scientology has moved into this landmark building. I always hate to see buildings go unused and sit vacant, especially in my Ward! So let me say this: thank you for moving across the river to the best side of Twin Cities.”

President of the Minneapolis Chapter of MAD DADS, Mr. V.J. Smith, addressed the Church’s anti-drug initiative: “I want to thank you, because we’ve already given out thousands of your Truth About Drugs booklets that show the impact drugs have on a person. The Church of Scientology and the Foundation for a Drug-Free World provided those to make it easier for us to do our job. You gave us a resource… and we’re really excited to see this beautiful Church open up in our community.”

Minnesota State Representative Rena Moran spoke of the Church’s pervasive volunteerism: “I believe very strongly in community engagement. And that is why I’m especially excited about your Volunteer Ministers and so impressed by the work that they do. It takes a certain kind of heart to give unconditional help to people you don’t even know and may never meet again. Your volunteers seem to specialize in that. They’re reaching out, they’re engaged, they’re facing the needs in our communities—and proving that something really can be done about it.”

Minnesota State Senator and leading proponent for human rights and human trafficking legislation, Sandra Pappas spoke to the Church’s award-winning Human Rights education materials and its longstanding support of human rights in general: “At the core of this support is an educational campaign that delivers a clear and impactful presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That is certainly a credible endeavor that I think you should be acknowledged for, so thank you. …I am proud of my work and you should be proud of your work to educate others on what are human rights. Please continue.”

At the opening of the new Church of Scientology of Moscow (Саентологии Москвы)
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At the opening of the new Church of Scientology of Moscow (Саентологии Москвы)

Source: orgsaroundtheworld.wordpress.com

Inside the breathtaking new Church of Scientology of Moscow (Саентологии Москвы)
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Inside the breathtaking new Church of Scientology of Moscow (Саентологии Москвы)

Source: orgsaroundtheworld.wordpress.com

Fantastic photos of the new Ideal Church of Scientology of Melbourne (click the image for more)
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Fantastic photos of the new Ideal Church of Scientology of Melbourne (click the image for more)

Source: orgsaroundtheworld.wordpress.com

The Church of Scientology Melbourne: the first Ideal Scientology Church beneath the Southern Cross

A new Ideal Scientology Organization has opened in Melbourne!

Thousands of Scientologists, dignitaries and guests from across the nation celebrated a milestone—the opening of the first Ideal Scientology Church in Australia.

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In tribute to the significance of the occasion Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, travelled to Melbourne from the United States to officiate at the dedication.  He acknowledged the long parade of accomplishments by Australian Scientologists that culminated in the new Church.

“It is my honour to join you this evening and commemorate a moment that will live on in history for a long time to come. Not that you haven’t loomed large in history before, not that you haven’t triumphed over great adversity in years gone by, not that you didn’t stand firm for the dignity of Man, and not that you didn’t indeed uphold the God-given rights of all religions all over this world.

“But having triumphed today in the name of our religion, you just flipped this planet all the way around so that Melbourne now sits on top of the globe. And that’swhat it means to build an Ideal Org beneath the Southern Cross.”

Mr. Miscavige also spoke of Melbourne’s hallowed place in Scientology history, noting that Founder L. Ron Hubbard himself came to Melbourne in November 1959 to deliver a series of lectures to its founding Scientology community.  As Mr. Miscavige explained:  “Those November 1959 lectures marked a turn in the path and a rise in the road, from which the whole panorama of human potential came into focus.” 

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Acknowledging the Church for its many contributions to the community were Melbourne Lord Mayor the Honourable Robert Doyle, Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano, Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Honourable Justin Madden, Sociologist Professor Gary Bouma and former Indigenous Person of the Year Uncle Bob Randall.

Praising the Church’s active role in community life, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told those assembled: “Today marks an historic occasion for Scientology. The building you see before you is the first of its type in Australasia, and the re-birth of an historic Melbourne building. This is a unique space. I hope benefits flow in partnerships, community connection and goodwill. I invite you to celebrate this opening in the heart of our exciting, welcoming and diverse Melbourne.”

Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano welcomed the congregation to his metropolitan Melbourne community where the Church is located: “I know that I speak for many when I say thank you so very much for restoring this beloved landmark to its former glory.  I cannot think of a better custodian than the Church of Scientology.”

The occasion was a reunion for teacher, football icon and Victoria Shadow Minister Justin Madden, who attended the Catholic University within the walls of what is now the new Scientology Church.  He commended the Church for its historic preservation as well as its literacy and drug education initiatives:  “Unselfishly, you work to provide ways and means to uplift our society.  You have set the standard for the community with your restoration of this building and with your social programs—an example I will point to for others to follow.  Your new Church is as Melbourne as Melbourne gets.”

Human rights activist Bob Randall, whose award-winning documentary, Kanyini, exposed the plight of the Aboriginal “stolen generations,” thanked the Church and its Scientology Volunteer Ministers program for its commitment to the indigenous people of Australia: “Scientology Volunteer Ministers have come to my country and given us hope that we can deal with these problems and we will make a difference in the near future. The Volunteer Ministers I’ve met have become my friends. The fellowship between us has been fun and I look forward to continuing that relationship to continue on to the present into the future. On behalf of me and my people, I thank you.”

Melbourne has long held importance for the Scientology religion. Within months of L. Ron Hubbard authoring Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health in 1950, the first Dianetics group in Australia was formed here and in 1955 the first Scientology Church in Australia opened in this city. 

Australia similarly long held a place near to L. Ron Hubbard’s heart, beginning with his service “Down Under” as a United States Naval Officer through the first days of World War II.  Principally stationed in Brisbane, but also operating from Melbourne, then Lieutenant Hubbard was charged with organising relief efforts for Allied troops trapped in the Philippines.  He also proudly served with Australian gunnery units for the defence of Brisbane.

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Today, the Melbourne Scientology Church is the first Ideal Church of Scientology Organisation in Australia, realising Mr. Hubbard’s vision for what Scientology can provide for its congregation and community.

The Church now stands on the site of the 19th century estate of Robert McCracken, leading businessman and founder of the legendary Essendon Bombers football team.  After the turn of the 20th century, this building became the home of Mercy Teachers’ College, later part of the Catholic University. The original name of the estate is “Ailsa” for Ailsa Craig, an island off the west coast of Scotland from where the McCracken family sailed more than 150 years ago.

New Melbourne Church on the way for one of Scientology’s oldest communities

An interesting article about the roots of Scientology in Australia, and the new Ideal Org being created in Melbourne.

One of the Scientology religion’s oldest communities, with its roots dating back to 1955, Melbourne Scientologists are getting ready to open a massive new Church to house their religious and social betterment activities.

Their new premises in the Ascot Vale neighborhood, set to open in the coming months, is currently under renovations and represents a massive increase in capacity and facilities for the burgeoning Scientology community in Melbourne, and the first of a new breed of Ideal Scientology organizations for Australia.

More on the history in the article.

The impressive new Church of Scientology of Manchester, England, is on its way. It’s an old, reconverted, brick cotton mill, and it will provide vast spaces for parishioners to attend Scientology services, seminars, courses and counseling.
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The impressive new Church of Scientology of Manchester, England, is on its way. It’s an old, reconverted, brick cotton mill, and it will provide vast spaces for parishioners to attend Scientology services, seminars, courses and counseling.

Organizations of Scientology

A new photo blog about Churches of Scientology around the world.

Scientology ramps up efforts in Seattle, beyond

A pretty good news story in the Seattle P-I about the recent Grand Opening of the new Church of Scientology of Seattle.

Source: seattlepi.com

idealorgs: Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, cut the ribbon opening the Church of Scientology of Washington on July 24, 2010. He was accompanied by government and community leaders and Scientology parishioners who spearheaded the building of the new Church.
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idealorgs:

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, cut the ribbon opening the Church of Scientology of Washington on July 24, 2010. He was accompanied by government and community leaders and Scientology parishioners who spearheaded the building of the new Church.

Source: idealorgs