New Church of Scientology Opens on Main Street in Buffalo
Amid a marching band, balloons, confetti and a massive ribbon, Church officials, local dignitaries and celebrities opened the new home of the Church of Scientology of Buffalo November 16, 2003, with Mayor Anthony Masiello proclaiming Church of Scientology of Buffalo Day.
The new building, the former Buffalo Catholic Institute at Virginia and Main streets, was purchased by the Church in December 2002 and renovated with 50,000 volunteer hours by parishioners from Buffalo and other states and countries. One guest at the opening described it as "truly a showplace of the practical, spiritual methods you have to offer."
Attending the ceremony were 1,400 well-wishers, including City Council members who praised the Church’s social betterment programs, preservationists pleased that the Church had breathed life into not just the building but also the neighborhood, and celebrities Billy Sheehan, renowned rock bassist and Buffalo native, and TV and film actress Jenna Elfman.
Senior Scientology executive David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, custodian of the religious Scripture of Scientology, addressed the assembly, noting that the true significance is not the monument but how it serves as a center "to bring the help this world so desperately needs."
Mayor Masiello read a proclamation stating that "It is not the purpose of Scientology to change any man's religion or to change any person's politics but rather to help build a real civilization on Earth" and then spoke about the Church's work in education, drug rehabilitation and other social ills. The Proclamation concluded:
WHEREAS: The city celebrates not only what was done to restore this landmark but more importantly what is done inside the building to restore the productivity of our people and increase their personal happiness,
Now, THEREFORE, I, ANTHONY M. MASIELLO, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, recognizing the value of L. Ron Hubbard's work and the contribution of the Church of Scientology, do hereby proclaim November 16th as Church of Scientology of Buffalo Day"
The Mayor, Church officials and celebrities joined in pulling a long cord to cut the ribbon that stretched along the building, while confetti and balloons filled the air.
Inside the building hundreds of Church members and their guests toured the new chapel, course rooms, counseling rooms, interactive displays, auditorium and offices.
Among the services available are the Purification Rundown, which has helped more than 150,000 people around the world eliminate environmental toxins and the residuals of drugs and medication from the body, think more clearly, and progress spiritually.
New offices will expand the Church's social programs to combat drugs, fight illiteracy and criminality, and reestablish respect for self and others. And an elegant, light-filled conference room has been built for use by community groups.
"We have already started working with our neighbors to breathe life back into Main Street," says Mary Lou Reile, the Church's Community Relations director. "We look forward to working with the rest of Buffalo to revitalize the city."
The Scientology religion was founded by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was established in Los Angeles in 1954. The international religion has since grown from that one church to more than 3,000 churches, missions and groups in 154 countries.
L. Ron Hubbard's research into the mind as laid out in his 1950 bestseller Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, led to development of the Scientology religion, a precise path for individuals to explore and know their own spiritual nature and to improve conditions in their lives.
The Church provides auditing and training, the two core religious practices in Scientology. Auditing (from audire, to listen) is one-on-one religious counseling. Training is the study of the tenets of the religion.
The Church is open seven days a week and visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit www.scientology-buffalo.org or call (716) 856-3910 or email cofsbuff@localnet.com
For more information on Mr. David Miscavige visit:
David Miscavige - Groundbreaking Ceremony Clearwater Florida
David Miscavige - Religious Technology Center
Sites on Mr. David Miscavige
David Miscavige and RTC
David Miscavige Presents a Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard: March 2002
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