Stunning New Scientology Church Opens in Pasadena, California

A labor of love for years for Pasadena-area Scientologists just came to fruition this weekend with the opening of the new Ideal Church of Scientology of Pasadena.   More than 4200 people came to see the stunning new 58,000 square-foot facility, which will be home to Scientology parishioners from the City of Roses, and be the focal point of the Church’s community betterment programs for the San Gabriel Valley.   The new Church is located at 35 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA (click here for map).   Take a tour in person, or see the photos below!

The new Church of Scientology of Pasadena was dedicated July 18, 2010, in ceremonies attended by more than 4,200. Officiating was Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, joined by leaders in Pasadena government, business, religion and preservation.

The Honorable Bill Bogaard, Mayor of the City of Pasadena, addressed the more than 4,200 Scientologists and guests at the dedication and opening of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena on Sunday, July 18, 2010: “With this beautifully restored structure in Old Pasadena, the Church represents not only a growing religion, but an important factor in the future of this city. So, it is a pleasure for me to extend a cordial welcome to you and this extraordinary Church of Scientology of Pasadena with its long history of service to the community.”

Thousands of Scientologists and guests began their tour of the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena in the spectacular sky-lit four-story galleria that rises through the center of the fully restored historic structure in the heart of Old Town.

The entrance to the new Public Information Center containing 17 multimedia displays at the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena.

L. Ron Hubbard Office: Every Church of Scientology has an office for L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of Dianetics and Scientology, as a sign of respect and in representation that the Church remains true to his teachings of the religion.

The center of the skylit atrium of the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena has been returned to the original splendor of the original 1906 design.

The Chapel of the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena, with codes and creeds in stained glass panels, is where Sunday services, weddings, naming ceremonies and other congregational gatherings are held.

For more information on the Church of Scientology of Pasadena, or to take a tour, contact the Church of Scientology of Pasadena here.

Church of Scientology a World Leader in Building Restoration & Design

Logo for the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena

The following post was on ScientologyToday, and as it is such an excellent piece that outlines what the Church of Scientology is doing with their program of renovations of magnificent old buildings, as well as the construction of new ones, I’m including the post in full – augmented by some pictures of some completed & upcoming new Churches of Scientology.

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When the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena opens its doors in the city’s historical core this summer, it will not only enable the Church to expand its service to the community, it will give back some of its cultural history.   Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the character of what was once a turn-of-the-century bicycle factory has been transformed into a unique blend of old and new, its four-story atrium and original façade still intact.  With attention also given to 21st century detail, the restored building will also be LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Foyer inside the Church of Scientology on Victoria Street, London.

The Church of Scientology International has been working for the past six years on a program to acquire new buildings for its regional Churches around the world.    Launched in 2004 by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, the aim of the program is to establish each Church in premises ideally suited for its many and varied religious services as well as its community outreach activities.  So far, 19 such ideal Churches have opened, eight of them in unique historic buildings, with more on the horizon.

“These Churches have already been in their cities for many years and their buildings need to be large enough to accommodate all their activities including a chapel, rooms for the study of our theology and introductory courses for new people and individual spiritual counseling rooms,” said Church of Scientology International spokesman, Tommy Davis.

The Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for the European Communities situation at Boulevard de Waterloo 100-103, is an early-20th-century structure fully renovated to serve the congregation and the community. It was dedicated 23 January 2010.

Far from a Sunday-only meeting place, Churches of Scientology hum with activity seven days a week.  In addition to common congregational services such as weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies for newborn children and Sunday service, parishioners can study days and evenings as well as receive the religion’s unique form of one-on-one religious counseling, participate in the Scientology Purification Program (a precise and closely supervised religious regimen that addresses barriers to spiritual gain) and take part in community betterment planning and activities, sponsored and initiated by the Church.

Chapel of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville

In May the Nashville, Tennessee Church of Scientology historic building took top honors in the city’s 35th Annual Preservation Awards for meeting all safety standards while preserving the beauty and grace of the 1898 building, which opened last year.  Built just two years after the famous Grand Ole Opry in a similar style, its features include red brick walls, original doors and hardwood floors, 14-foot ceilings and an unusual three-floor atrium crowned with a glass cupola.

Last January, the Church opened the Belgium branch of the Churches of Scientology of Europe, an 88,000 square-foot early 20th century historic structure in the heart of Brussels.  In October 2009, the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, DC completed renovation of its seven-story, 49,000-square-foot historic building by architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr., half a mile from the White House.  And another historic Church property fully restored in 2009 is the 1926 Mediterranean Revival-style Fort Harrison building in Clearwater, Florida.

Other cities with historic buildings now home to Scientology Churches include: San Francisco, California; London, England; Tampa, Florida; and Buffalo, New York.   The Church has also acquired historic buildings that are in pre-construction stages in Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Montreal, Canada; and Manchester, England.

The doors are always open and visitors are welcome in the new Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC. Just past Reception stands the extensive Public Information Center with interactive multimedia displays that describe Scientology beliefs and practices, services and facilities and the Church’s international social betterment programs.

“We take a lot of pride and care in adapting and rehabilitating our historic buildings,” said Davis.  “The result is truly unique as these new Churches exemplify our religion and are dynamically practical and aesthetic, and enable us to practice the full range of Scientology services as laid out by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.”