New Church of Scientology Grand Opening in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, October 31, the Founding
Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, opened its new premises six blocks
from the White House and minutes from Capitol Mall. Attended by nearly 3,000
Scientologists and guests, the Church was dedicated by Mr. David Miscavige,
Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader
of the Scientology religion.

The building, over 49,000 square feet, represents the Church of Scientology's
largest presence ever in the nation's capital, a presence that dates back to
the 1955 establishment of the Founding Church of Scientology in the District
by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard--an occasion considered a milestone in
the establishment of Scientology as the only major religion founded in the
20th century, a religion that has since become the fastest-growing religion in
the world.

Mr. Miscavige and other speakers gave special praise to the millions of
Scientologists world over who have given of their time and effort to make the
Church's anti-drug education initiative the largest non-governmental program
of its kind and the Church's human rights education program the largest on
earth. They also praised the work of over 195,000 registered Scientology
Volunteer Ministers trained to respond in times of disaster.

In expressing the importance of a prominent Scientology Church in the nation's
capitol Mr. Miscavige stated:

"In a word, this Church is the sum total of all our history and all LRH
envisioned when serving as our first Executive Director.

"This is also the kind of Church he envisioned when authoring our programs and
campaigns--in anticipation of a day when turmoil knocks out the props and the
whole social veneer collapses..."

"Which, of course, is exactly what happened--and thus what prompted our
Wake-up Call after 9/11...wherein our history intersects with the history of
this nation."

Yet the significance of a major Church of Scientology in Washington, DC, runs
much deeper as Mr. Miscavige made clear:

"You are looking at a living embodiment of the freedom and equality that
originally inspired this nation because, yes, this Church stands for life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, yes, it stands here today because
of the freedom on which this nation was built--the freedom of religion. For
it was here, in this nation's capital, that we fought for and won our
recognition."

And in the words of Congressman Brad Sherman of California's 27th District in
his address to the gathering:

"I have worked diligently and continuously to express my views, and I believe
the views of the entire Congress, that all countries should treat all
religions equally and provide true freedom of religion for everyone."

Congressman Sherman praised the Church's efforts in raising awareness of the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and stated that the
battle for human rights includes bringing human rights awareness to all
people.

"That is why the efforts of many churches and religious organizations to focus
on human rights issues are so important."

Others speaking and participating in the dedication of the new Scientology
Church were Ms. Addie Richburg, President and Chairman of the Board of the
National Alliance of Faith and Justice; Ms. Diane Rothe-Smith, Executive
Director of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD);
and Mr. Mike Silverstein, President of the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood
Association who also represented District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.

Rev. Sylvia Stanard, Director of Public Affairs for the Founding Church,
invited all inside to tour the new Church, which includes numerous multimedia
presentations in its Public Information Center, describing fundamentals of the
Scientology religion, the Church's worldwide humanitarian and social
betterment programs, and the life and legacy of L. Ron Hubbard. As in any
Church of Scientology, the doors are always open for people to walk in and
find out for themselves.

Washington, DC, played a pivotal role in the life of the Founder of the
Scientology religion. At age 13, as America's youngest Eagle Scout, L. Ron
Hubbard traveled cross-country to meet President Calvin Coolidge. As a
student at George Washington University in the early 1930s, Mr. Hubbard
learned the scientific methodology he later applied to unlocking the riddle of
the human mind and life. After World War II, he tested Dianetics techniques on
numerous cases at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital and wrote the first manuscript of
his discoveries in Dianetics: The Original Thesis. In 1955, he established
the Founding Church and became its Executive Director.

The Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, represents a milestone
for the Scientology religion, which comprises more than 8,000 Churches,
Missions and groups in 165 nations. As part of the continuing program to meet
the demand for Scientology services, new Churches have been established in
Berlin, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, New York and San Francisco. Earlier
this year, new Churches opened in Malmo, Sweden; Dallas, Texas; Nashville,
Tennessee and October 24, in Rome--five new landmark Scientology Churches
opened newly in the last six months.

For additional photos and video footage, contact
mediarelations(at)scientology.net

Press Contact:
Karin Pouw
323-960-3500

SOURCE The Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC

Karin Pouw, +1-323-960-3500, for The Founding Church of Scientology of
Washington, DC