New Scientology headquarters opens in Sussex

The Argus, UK/July 23, 2015

By Henry Holloway

“We are just getting started”.

That was the message from the leader of the Church of Scientology at the opening of their new premises at their national headquarters.

The organisation officially opened their new continental liaison office at its nationwide base in East Grinstead with a lavish ceremony last week.

The opening was officiated by the church’s worldwide leader David Miscavige and was attended by more than 1,500 Scientologists.

He said: “If by chance you hadn’t yet noticed, we’re not slowing down – in fact, we’re just getting started.

“For this is our time—and this is our place in global history.

“So, yes, with the cutting of this ribbon we now take yet another monumental step forward as we celebrate this Ideal Continental Liaison Office for this great United Kingdom.”

The faith has been seen as controversial and is endorsed by celebrities such as Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Simpsons actress Nancy Cartwright.

The new office opened opposite country house Saint Hill Manor, which was purchased by the founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard in 1959 and became the headquarters of the church in the UK.

The Church of Scientology was officially recognised as a religion in 2013 following a Supreme Court ruling.

The ruling came after Scientologist Louisa Hodkin, from East Grinstead, won a battle in the court to marry in a Scientology church after it was deemed a "place of meeting for religious worship".

The new liaison office will serve as a base for management of activities carried out by every sector of Scientology in the UK.

The premises also houses offices which will “house offices dedicated to the establishment and expansion of the Church’s humanitarian initiatives that address illiteracy, criminal rehabilitation and drug rehabilitation”.

New facilities are also planned to be opened at Saint Hill including a new wing at the L. Ron Hubbard designed Saint Hill Castle built in 1968.

The opening featured a musical performance from the Jive Aces, a swing six-piece, who are all members of the church themselves and reached the Britain’s Got Talent semi finals on television in 2012.

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