Church of Scientology Johannesburg, South Africa

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CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF JOHANNESBURG OPENS NEW AND EXPANDED FACILITIES DESTINED TO PROVIDE A SAFER AND ENJOYABLE COMMUNITY

The sign in the reception of the new Church of Scientology in Johannesburg.

Nearly 47 years ago, the first Church of Scientology in Africa was established in Johannesburg. Demonstrating the importance of Southern Africa to the Church’s global network, this event was barely five years after the first Founding Church of Scientology was established in Washington, D.C. in the United States.

South Africa was one of the first countries of the world in which Scientology was established, and it has had a warm relationship with the country ever since.

We can look back proudly at the past five decades. From its beginning in Washington, D.C., Scientology now encompasses more than 3,200 churches, missions and groups in 154 countries, helping millions around the world.

South Africa has always played a pivotal role in the growth of the international Church of Scientology. In addition to being the home of the continental base for all Africa during 1960, Johannesburg was also temporarily home to L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Dianetics and Scientology.

Mr. Hubbard demonstrated a fondness for Southern Africa, taking up a house in Linksfield Ridge, from where he lectured church parishioners during the autumn of 1960. He later spent some time in then Rhodesia.

The chapel of the new Church of Scientology in Johannesburg.

During his time in Johannesburg, he commented: “You know I am very fond of Johannesburg. I have walked your hills and my lips have turned blue and I have puffed from the rarefied air. I watched the rain come down from the sky, hit the ground and bounce up again...”

At that time, Southern Africa was started on a course of action which was to lead to destructive war, as well as political and economic isolation. Mr. Hubbard realised that in an intensely materialistic world, there was little hope for man if he did not understand himself and his own motives.

Mr. Hubbard discovered fundamental truths which offered man happiness, rationality and ability, and it was to disseminate these that churches such as the Church of Scientology, Johannesburg, were formed throughout the fifties, and in the decades since.

The first organisation in Johannesburg was established on Hancock Street, Joubert Park on 11 November, 1957. This thriving organisation later expanded into new premises in Polly Street in the Johannesburg central business district, and subsequently into more central premises on Commissioner Street.

Coffee shop inside the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg.

During this time the Church made its impact felt on society through outreach community programmes and volunteer activities among local residents. During the seventies, the Church exposed mental health abuses of black patients.

In 1990, the Church relocated to prominent premises opposite the Carlton Hotel, where it remained until 2003. After a long history in Johannesburg during which Church parishioners initiated a multitude of community outreach programmes helping thousands of people, the Church decided on one final move to its very own premises in Kensington.

For the first time the Church acquired permanent premises at the famous Kensington Golf Course clubhouse when the Golf Course relocated its premises in 1999. Kensington Golf Course is a venerated institution in Johannesburg, one of the most celebrated and popular clubs in South Africa, with a history dating back to 1909.

For the members, the course was regarded as one of the most “user-friendly” in the land. It was exactly this close community involvement and familiarity that the Church was looking for in a premises.

For the first time the Church will be based in a community where people live rather than just work, and the 24-hour lifestyle of Kensington will better suit the round-the-clock parishioner and community activities of the Church.

Staff of the new Church of Scientology in Johannesburg.

Thousands of parishioners of the Johannesburg Organisation mirror the excitement of the Church in anticipation of developing a long-term association with the community of Kensington, as well as the broader Johannesburg, through its community outreach programmes.

Mr. Hubbard had great expectations for this part of the world: “From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilisation.”

The Johannesburg Organisation is a vital part of that, helping to make the next great civilization a reality through our work.

We believe that man is only as valuable as he can serve others, and it is in this spirit that we are here for our parishioners who come to receive Scientology services, as well as for the community. We want to share our church and look forward to participating in civic and community events and activities together.

You are always welcome at the African Continental Church of Scientology.

We are open from 9am-10pm Monday-Friday and 9am-6pm Saturday & Sunday. Call us at 011-607-2100.