New Church of Scientology Portland: First Day of Service Rounds off Grand Opening Celebration
On Sunday, May 12, the Church of Scientology held their first day of services, following the grand opening of their new home at 309 SW Third Avenue in Portland.
Hundreds were present for the first Sunday Service at the new Church of Scientology in downtown Portland.
On Sunday, May 12, the Church of Scientology held their first day of services, following the grand opening of their new home at 309 SW Third Avenue in Portland.
The day commenced with Sunday Service in the Church’s new Chapel with hundreds of parishioners in attendance. Following the service, a special Mother’s Day brunch for all guests was held in the Church’s expansive Freedom Café.
Parishioners and visitors alike participated in activities throughout the day, from tours of the building to Scientology seminars and services. The Church held its first courses on Dianetics and Scientology, including the Personal Efficiency Course—an afternoon course based on L. Ron Hubbard’s book, The Problems of Work: Scientology Applied to the Workaday World.
At the close of the weekend of events, Scientologist and award-winning singer-songwriter Michael Duff performed a concert in the Chapel in honor of the Church’s new home in Portland.
Sunday’s events capped off a weekend of grand opening activities highlighted by the official ribbon cutting on Saturday afternoon. More than 2,500 Scientologists and guests joined city and state dignitaries for the dedication ceremony.
The Church’s new home occupies the renowned Sherlock Building on the corner of Third Avenue and Oak Street. Originally erected in 1893, the landmark has long been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Sherlock Building is recognized as among the most noteworthy late-19th-century structures in Portland and the preeminent example of Sullivanesque-style architecture in Oregon. The Church undertook the restoration of this Portland classic to preserve its heritage well into the next century, including full seismic reinforcement of all seven stories. The building now houses all facilities of a Scientology Ideal Organization (Ideal Org), providing the complete range of religious services to a rapidly growing congregation. The Church further serves as a center for members of all other faiths to collaborate for community betterment across the Willamette Valley.
The new 69,000-square-foot Ideal Org provides residents of the Willamette Valley with an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, beginning with the Public Information Center. Its displays, containing more than 500 films, present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Information Center also offers a detailed overview of the many Church-sponsored humanitarian programs—including a worldwide human rights education initiative; an equally far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program, now comprising the world’s largest independent relief force. The Center is open morning to night for visitors to tour at their leisure and return as often as they wish.
The Church’s Chapel provides for Scientology congregational gatherings, including Sunday Services, weddings and Naming Ceremonies—as well as a host of community-wide events open to members of all denominations. The new Church further includes multiple seminar rooms and classrooms, in addition to dozens of auditing rooms for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling).
The Church of Scientology Portland is the third new Ideal Org to open in 2013, following Pretoria, South Africa, on February 23 and Cambridge in Ontario, Canada, on February 9.
Ideal Orgs reflect the fulfillment of Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision for the religion. They not only provide the ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom, they are also designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.
Capping off a weekend of events, singer-songwriter Michael Duff performed for parishioners and guests in the Chapel of the new Church of Scientology Portland.
A Mother’s Day Brunch was held in honor of all mothers attending the weekend of events and activities at Portland’s new Church of Scientology.
On May 11, 2013, more than 2,500 Scientologists and guests were on hand to celebrate a new Church of Scientology for Portland in the city’s historic downtown quarter.
The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.
CONTACT:
Gwen Barnard
Church of Scientology Portland
309 SW Third Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 228-0116
mediarelations(at)churchofscientology(dot)net
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