Austin comes alive as crowds gather for the Grand Opening of the striking new Church of Scientology Austin.
A Texas-sized ovation greets Mr. Miscavige at the dedication ceremony for Austin’s new Church of Scientology.
Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center, welcomes the enthusiastic crowd as a new Scientology star shines in the “country of Texas.”
Cutting a red, white and blue ribbon on the Church of Scientology Austin, Mr. Miscavige is joined by Scientology parishioners who helped build this Ideal Org in the bustling heart of the city.
The moment arrives as the Church of Scientology sheds her ribbon in Austin’s West Campus neighborhood.
Everything is bigger in Texas, even the Grand Opening celebration for the new Church in the state’s capital of Austin.
In the live music capital of the world, the Grand Opening ceremony appropriately kicks off with a Texas-hot medley of Austin’s own original anthems—the hard-driving “Texas Freedom” and the inspirational “My Church.”
“You’re Texas big and Texas tough,” said Mr. Miscavige. “While before that ribbon falls on your new Church of Scientology, this is a moment to remember what was said long ago by one of your famous Texans—that it was the best land he had ever seen, and there was a world of country to settle. Well, so it is again today. Except your ‘line of country’ is the human spirit, and you settle it by restoring to people the happiness, love, sincerity and kindness with which they were created.”
—Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion
—Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion
“Each and every one of you should take pride in knowing you have helped make our home what it is today. Your members form the backbone of an ongoing community effort. Which is another way of saying, you have shown an inherent understanding of what our residents need with a passion and care to create a thriving, active community. While today, with this Grand Opening, we celebrate the return of a major player to this University area. So what I should really be saying is, ‘Welcome back!’” —Mr. Mike McHone, Vice-President, University Area Partners Association
“From the outset, our attitude was, ‘Let’s educate people.’ And we got that Truth About Drugs information out to everyone. That means, thanks to your support, thousands who never had a choice to be educated now have the choice to say, ‘I’m going to live drug-free!’ The world would be a better place if more people had the care and commitment that your Church members do. No doubt about it. And thanks to Drug-Free World, you’ve given this kid from the south of Austin the opportunity of a lifetime. I have one final request: keep doing your good work. You’ll never know how many lives you’ve saved.”
—Mr. Sam Price, Texas Drug Education Advocate
—Mr. Sam Price, Texas Drug Education Advocate
“Bridging division between different faiths is not simply a ‘nice to do,’ it’s essential. You have been pillars of devotion and dependency. And upon those pillars, we have now built the largest interfaith movement in all of Central Texas. I have to tell you, we are so excited at the prospect of holding our events right here—front and center in Downtown. This Ideal Org will be a shared space where any and all are welcome, a place for services, talks or meetings for reconciliation. So may it continue to shine as a sanctuary for all faiths for all the decades to come!”
—Ms. Simone Talma Flowers, Executive Director, Interfaith Action of Central Texas
—Ms. Simone Talma Flowers, Executive Director, Interfaith Action of Central Texas
“A just society requires sacrifice and commitment. In fact, a great man once said, ‘Injustice is not something in which any man with power should ever trade.’ That was Mr. L. Ron Hubbard. To say such in the crucible of the 1960s shows tremendous courage. At that time, just a handful were in the middle, trying to broker peace, and yet there he was. Mr. Hubbard’s ideas of forwarding the concept of true justice were both visionary and grand. And let’s face it, they inspired you all to create a movement not only in Texas, but around the world. Thank you, Mr. Hubbard, for being a strong voice in the land.”
—Mr. Nelson Linder, President, Austin Branch of the NAACP
—Mr. Nelson Linder, President, Austin Branch of the NAACP
Mr. David Miscavige with (left to right): President of the Austin NAACP, Mr. Nelson Linder; Texas Drug Education Advocate Mr. Sam Price; Executive Director of the Interfaith Action of Central Texas, Ms. Simone Talma Flowers; and Vice-President of the University Area Partners Association, Mr. Mike McHone.
In the heart of the capital city, opening day guests excitedly make their way into Austin’s new 52,000-square-foot Scientology Church.
A steady stream of Scientologists and guests make their way into Austin’s new Ideal Church to experience it for themselves.
Austin’s Public Information Center is a lively hub of activity on opening day.
Scientologists and guests tour the new Church throughout the Grand Opening afternoon and into the evening.
The Austin Church stands on a stretch of Guadalupe Street, known locally as The Drag, the city’s bustling center for entertainment and dining.
The Church of Scientology Austin stands directly across from “The Forty Acres,” the sprawling campus of the University of Texas.
RECEPTION
Open seven days a week, morning to night, the Church of Scientology Austin Reception welcomes anyone wishing to obtain an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology.
Open seven days a week, morning to night, the Church of Scientology Austin Reception welcomes anyone wishing to obtain an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology.
SCIENTOLOGY PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER
The Public Information Center offers some 500 films, providing a complete introduction to every aspect of Dianetics and Scientology. It includes the beliefs and practices of the religion, a biographical presentation on the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard, as well as the many humanitarian initiatives and community outreach programs the Church supports.
The Public Information Center offers some 500 films, providing a complete introduction to every aspect of Dianetics and Scientology. It includes the beliefs and practices of the religion, a biographical presentation on the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard, as well as the many humanitarian initiatives and community outreach programs the Church supports.
INTRODUCTORY SERVICES
The Church of Scientology Austin provides for the delivery of all introductory services. These include an entire array of Scientology Life Improvement Courses to help better any aspect of one’s life.
The Church of Scientology Austin provides for the delivery of all introductory services. These include an entire array of Scientology Life Improvement Courses to help better any aspect of one’s life.
Among the many services available are evening and weekend Dianetics and Scientology seminars imparting an overview of fundamental principles and their application in life.
DIANETICS & SCIENTOLOGY BOOKSTORE
The Bookstore makes available L. Ron Hubbard’s works on Dianetics and Scientology. In all, Mr. Hubbard’s legacy comprises tens of millions of published words in dozens of books and thousands of recorded lectures. Materials are available in 50 languages.
The Bookstore makes available L. Ron Hubbard’s works on Dianetics and Scientology. In all, Mr. Hubbard’s legacy comprises tens of millions of published words in dozens of books and thousands of recorded lectures. Materials are available in 50 languages.
THE PURIFICATION CENTER
Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard developed the Purification Program to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins through a regimen of exercise, sauna and nutrition—all of which are provided for in our Purification Center. The mural pays tribute to Austin as the live music capital of the world.
Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard developed the Purification Program to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins through a regimen of exercise, sauna and nutrition—all of which are provided for in our Purification Center. The mural pays tribute to Austin as the live music capital of the world.
HUBBARD GUIDANCE CENTER
The Hubbard Guidance Center is where Scientologists receive one-on-one spiritual counseling, known as auditing. Just beyond the waiting room is a wing of auditing rooms.
The Hubbard Guidance Center is where Scientologists receive one-on-one spiritual counseling, known as auditing. Just beyond the waiting room is a wing of auditing rooms.
Each of Austin’s auditing rooms is ideally appointed to provide the calm, distraction-free setting requisite to achieving spiritual enlightenment.
THE ACADEMY
The Academy is where Scientologists train to become auditors (spiritual counselors), capable of applying the technology of auditing to help others attain Spiritual Freedom. The Austin Academy comprises multiple course rooms, each devoted to a different aspect of training.
The Academy is where Scientologists train to become auditors (spiritual counselors), capable of applying the technology of auditing to help others attain Spiritual Freedom. The Austin Academy comprises multiple course rooms, each devoted to a different aspect of training.
HEART OF TEXAS CAFÉ
The Café welcomes visitors touring the Church and provides a gathering place for those attending the many scheduled events. It is further provided for parishioners during breaks in their Scientology services.
The Café welcomes visitors touring the Church and provides a gathering place for those attending the many scheduled events. It is further provided for parishioners during breaks in their Scientology services.
From Austin’s Field Activities center, Scientologists advance Church-sponsored humanitarian initiatives to help all communities. It is also here they coordinate the ever-expanding network of Scientology Groups and Missions.
THE CHAPEL
The Chapel, lined with the Codes and Creed of the Church of Scientology, provides for all congregational ceremonies and services—including Sunday Services, Weddings and Naming Ceremonies. The Chapel also serves as an ideal venue for workshops, banquets and events in the name of community collaboration for the betterment of Greater Austin.
The Chapel, lined with the Codes and Creed of the Church of Scientology, provides for all congregational ceremonies and services—including Sunday Services, Weddings and Naming Ceremonies. The Chapel also serves as an ideal venue for workshops, banquets and events in the name of community collaboration for the betterment of Greater Austin.
THE OFFICE OF L. RON HUBBARD
As is tradition in all Churches of Scientology, the Office of L. Ron Hubbard stands in honor of the religion’s Founder and symbolizes that this Church is true to his writings and ideals.
As is tradition in all Churches of Scientology, the Office of L. Ron Hubbard stands in honor of the religion’s Founder and symbolizes that this Church is true to his writings and ideals.
