New HQ for Scientology in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth has completed the purchase of one of the city’s historic landmarks—the United Building on the corner of St Mary’s Terrace and Govan Mbeki Avenue. It will contribute to the area not only by way of the planned restoration and renovation project but also through increased community activities that will now be possible.

The United Building on the corner of St Mary’s Terrace and Govan Mbeki Avenue in Port Elizabeth will be the new regional headquarters for the Scientology religion.

The building will be the regional headquarters for the religion.

This announcement comes on the heals of a recent milestone for Scientology in South Africa: the Commissioner of Revenue recognized the church as a public benefit organization and granted it tax-exemption.

The church has also recently acquired new property in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.

Artist’s renderings of the exterior of the building, once renovations are completed.

“We see our investment in Nelson Mandela Bay as a contribution to the uplifting of the area,” said Paul Sondergaard, public affairs director for the religion in South Africa. Sondergaard went on to say that the Church will restore the property to its former glory to add to the heritage of Port Elizabeth. He emphasized that the new building will make it possible to greatly expand the church’s anti-drug and human rights campaigns and provide more assistance to the region through its Scientology Volunteer Ministers—an international help and disaster relief program with a membership of over 100,000 worldwide.

“L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion, once wrote, ‘From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization,’” said Sondergaard, “The Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth is working with other committed members of our community to bring this about.”

Scientology in Africa: Kyalami Castle now belongs to the Church of Scientology

Kyalami Castle now belongs to the Church of Scientology.

“For all African Scientologists, this is a dream finally come true,” said Paul Sondergaard, national Director of the Public Affairs Office. “It means a lot to the future expansion of the Church in Africa.”

The 64,000 square foot castle on 22 acres of land will be providing religious services to people from throughout the Continent. It is the latest acquisition in a long series of 66 buildings the Church has purchased internationally over the past 5 years to accommodate the Church’s expansion.

“But the Kyalami Castle is the best yet,” says Sondergaard, “and a fitting tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Church in Southern Africa.”

Other buildings have been purchased in South Africa over the past year including for the the seven-story St. Georges Center in the heart of Cape Town City for the Church of Scientology of Cape Town, buildings in Morningside for the Church of Scientology of Durban, a new home for the Church of Scientology of Pretoria on Church Street in that city, and a stunning building on the recently renovated Goven Mbeki Avenue for the Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth. In Johannesburg, the Church has become a prominent feature in the Kensington, Bedforview area, having taken over the old Kensington Golf Club house, which it subsequently expanded and fully renovated.

For those who have questions about the Church, a new video channel has been launched on its official website (www.Scientology.org). The Scientology Video Channel provides a comprehensive overview of the basic beliefs and practices of the religion while answering the question “What is Scientology?” and provides information on the many humanitarian programs sponsored by the Church—programs addressing drug abuse, illiteracy, human rights and disaster relief.

L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, once wrote: “From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet….” and African Scientologists feel the acquisition of this new Advanced Organization is a significant step in the accomplishment of this dream.

The Church of Scientology was first established in the United States in 1954, and the first African Church opened in Johannesburg in 1957.

 

[cited from ScientologyToday]

Observing Los Angeles

Observing Los Angeles

Originally uploaded by jetteroheller

Looking down over the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles and Bridge Publications, toward downtown Los Angeles. Taken from Griffith Observatory.

The sky in L.A. has reverted to much of its pre-bushfires smog, as opposed to the thick, smoky haze that had been sitting over the whole city when the fires were at their worst.

Our Scientology Volunteer Ministers were incredibly active with the firefighters on this, as usual, with just about every VM in the San Diego / Los Angeles area participating.

The Church of Scientology International building in Hollywood, CA

Looking down at the Church of Scientology International Building – zoomed in

Originally uploaded by jetteroheller

The Church of Scientology International, mother church for the Scientology Religion, purchased the Hollywood Guaranty Building in 1988. The building was then restored to its original 1920’s look, and remains an historic landmark of Hollywood.

Housed in the Church of Scientology International building are the key ecclesiastical management bodies of the Church, including Scientology Missions International, which supports Scientology missions in all parts of the world, and the International Scientology Volunteer Minister corps, which provides disaster response actions throughout the world and training for anyone in any group.

The Church of Scientology, Mission of Wichita, Kansas

The Church of Scientology, Mission of Wichita, Kansas

Originally uploaded by jetteroheller

I did a drive-by of the Church of Scientology, mission of Wichita, Kansas when I was in Wichita for other business. Beautiful place! I got a tour when I went there, and they had big plans for handling the illiteracy problem in Wichita.