In just five years since the May 1950 publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, Dianetics and Scientology had expanded from one foundation to an international organization headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. With the dramatic growth of the movement and the need for worldwide communication lines to coordinate Churches and groups on five continents, in the summer of 1955, Mr. Hubbard moved the central operations of Scientology to Washington, DC., where he established the Founding Church of Scientology at 1812 19th Street NW.
The DC Historic Preservation Review Board has now unanimously approved an application by the Church of Scientology to designate this building as a historic landmark.
From his second-floor office, L. Ron Hubbard served as the first Executive Director, overseeing the organization of Churches and authoring the administrative articles and policies that continue to form the organizational structure of all Scientology Churches today.
The Church has also recently opened two other facilities in the nation’s capital: The D.C. Church of Scientology, which has retained its original name, The Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, D.C., at 1424 16th Street NW, and the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office on Dupont Circle at 1701 20th St NW.
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From its beginnings, the Church of Scientology has recognized that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. In a world where conflicts are often traceable to intolerance of others’ religious beliefs and practices, the Church has, for more than 50 years, made the preservation of religious liberty an overriding concern.
The Church publishes this blog to help create a better understanding of the freedom of religion and belief and provide news on religious freedom and issues affecting this freedom around the world.
The Founder of the Scientology religion is L. Ron Hubbard and Mr. David Miscavige is the religion’s ecclesiastical leader.
For more information visit the Scientology website or Scientology Network.
