Scientology headquarters in Detroit opens in secretive ceremony [View all]

[demmiblue]

Hundreds of Scientologists from across the country flowed into downtown Detroit on Sunday morning to celebrate the new church in a freshly-renovated building at the corner of Griswold and West Jefferson.

Although famous member Tom Cruise didn't appear in the crowd, some attendees hailed from as far as New Jersey and Georgia, clad in suits, leather jackets and scarfs to fight off the October cold.

Security — and lips — were tight. Members sported wristbands to show they had been invited. Large signs reading "DETROIT" blocked off the street view of an ornate stage, complete with a towering cross, while security guards patrolled the grounds of 1 Woodward to block entry from that side.

More than 10 attendees declined to speak to the Free Press, but others offered a few insights into the day's fanfare. Alan Kellman, who works as a lawyer in the Penobscot building and has been a Scientologist since the 1970s, said that the new building could help Scientology reach millennials and other Detroiters who are joining in on downtown's revitalization.

The 88-year-old building itself, Kellman said, is also worthy of Scientology.

"The teachings of Scientology are way up here," Kellman said, gesturing to the sky. "Now the building is coming up to par so that we can attract the whole spectrum of people out there to see us."

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/10/14/scientology-church-detroit-opens/1641323002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter