The Church of Scientology Greater Cincinnati celebrated the opening of its expansive new home Saturday, February 25. The inauguration was attended by more than a thousand Scientologists and state, county and city officials.

Located in Florence, Kentucky, within the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky metropolitan area, the Church’s new home stands at the intersection of Dixie Highway and Union Pike, the junction that inspired Florence’s original name of “Crossroads.” The new facility will not only provide Scientology services to parishioners, but will extend the Church’s humanitarian programs throughout the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Tri-state region.

The significance of the grand opening was underscored by the presence of Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. In officially dedicating the Church, Mr. Miscavige said: “With the inauguration of this new Church comes a sacred pledge to employ the technology of Dianetics and Scientology in the same spirit with which L. Ron Hubbard originally forged it. Which is to say, to apply it broadly, unsparingly, indiscriminately and to the full extent of its power for bettering lives and uplifting populations by engendering kindness, compassion, nobility of the spirit and a love of humanity.”

Welcoming the new Church were Kentucky State Representative, Mr. Arnold Simpson; Kentucky Governor Beshear’s Faith-Based Initiatives Executive Director, Mr. Colmon Elridge; National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Chairman of the Board, Reverend Damon Lynch; and West Chester Trustee, Mr. George Lang.

In his welcoming address, Kentucky State Representative Arnold Simpson said: “You have outstanding youth programs and such fine purposes. In fact, you give more than you receive, and that is a very good thing. And what you offer is welcome and very needed. I want to see your programs integrated into existing organizations here and interacting with other agencies. I encourage you to work with me as well as with your other elected officials so that we can all work together to solve these issues. For your work to serve your fellow man, we take our hats off to you.”

West Chester Trustee George Lang underlined the Scientology Founder’s lasting legacy: “Your objectives when achieved will make our community a better place. I am speaking specifically about the reduction of insanity, the reduction of criminality, the reduction of drug addiction. These objectives will make our community a more desirable place and will help us to compete with other communities on a global basis, and so make the world a better place.”

Kentucky Governor Beshear’s Faith-Based Initiatives Executive Director Colmon Elridge spoke of the impact Scientology-sponsored civic programs have:  “What I really appreciate is that you are a community of people who come and wrap their arms around others and say, ‘What is it that we have that can help you get back on track, and help you achieve the things you want in life?’  If everyone in this city did that, we’d have a better state. If everyone in this state did that, we’d have a more united America. And if everyone in America took your lead, we would have the kind of world we wish for ourselves, that my wife and I wish for our two sons, and that we all wish for future generations.”

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Chairman of the Board, Reverend Damon Lynch, acknowledged the Church’s role in revitalizing Greater Cincinnati: “It was here on the banks of the Ohio River that many a fugitive from slavery took their first steps on freedom’s shore. And just as the North Star guided those on the Underground Railroad to freedom, I see your Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard as a guiding light for many here on Earth today. Mr. Hubbard was indeed a man full of intent to make a better world. He was a man of wisdom, knowledge and common sense. He was everything a human being should be and I’m so glad to see this new Church opening in his Centennial year. So welcome to your new home, Scientologists of Greater Cincinnati.”

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The new Ideal Church of Scientology of Greater Cincinnati measures 50,000 square feet and stands on a three-acre campus. In addition to its Grand Chapel for all congregational gatherings, Sunday Services and religious ceremonies, the Church further includes multiple seminar rooms and classrooms, as well as dozens of rooms for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling).

The Church welcomes all visitors and those wishing to find out about Scientology for themselves. Directly adjoining reception is an expansive Public Information Center, providing a complete introduction to the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion, as well as the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Information Center additionally presents a detailed overview of Church-sponsored humanitarian programs, including a worldwide human rights initiative; an equally far-ranging drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program now comprising the largest independent relief force on Earth. In full, the Information Center’s multimedia displays offer some 500 informational and documentary films at the touch of a button. The Center is open morning to night and visitors are invited to tour at their leisure and return as often as they wish.

The Church’s Grand Chapel will also be open for interfaith and community events in service to the Greater Cincinnati area.

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The Church of Scientology Greater Cincinnati is the third Ideal Organization (Org) to open in 2012, joining the Church of Scientology Sacramento, opened January 28, 2012, in California’s capital; and the Church of Scientology Hamburg, Germany, opened January 21, 2012.

Ideal Orgs realize 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, but 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.

Other new Churches opened in recent years include Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Tampa, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Seattle, Washington; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California; Pasadena, California; Inglewood, California; as well as Québec City, Canada; Mexico City, Mexico; London, England; Melbourne, Australia; Brussels, Belgium; Madrid, Spain; Rome, Italy; Berlin, Germany; and Moscow, Russia.

More than 10 new Ideal Orgs are further scheduled for grand opening in 2012.

For a complete list of new Churches of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.

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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 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.