New Church of Scientology in Sandy Springs opens to public April 3

The new Church of Scientology of Georgia building in Sandy Springs will open for public services on Sun., April 3, according to a church official.

Reporter Newspapers, Georgia/March 31, 2016

By John Ruch

The church at 5395 Roswell Road at the intersection with Glenridge Drive is currently decorated with blue bunting for a private grand opening.

“[Starting] Sunday, the facility will be open to the public seven days a week and all are welcome,” said church official Tracie Parker in an email. “We have an information center where anyone can come to take a tour and find out for themselves about Scientology and the many humanitarian programs we support.”

The church, a mansion-like former real estate office, had a long struggle to open that involved a freedom-of-religion lawsuit against the city.

The Church of Scientology bought the property around 2005, but first sought rezoning for use as a place of worship in 2009. The Sandy Springs City Council approved the rezoning, but without a parking reduction the church sought as part of a building expansion. The church then sued the city for violating its First Amendment rights, leading to a 2012 settlement allowing the building expansion in exchange for sharing parking with the adjacent post office.

Before its move to Sandy Springs, the Church of Scientology was based in a smaller Doraville facility.

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