St. Petersburg Times
Special report
Video report
  • For their own good
    Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
  • More video reports
Multimedia report
Print Email this storyEmail story Comment Email editor
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Friend's name Friend's email
Your message
 

 


Scientology + celeb = 'cool'

Hundreds attend as the church celebrates the opening of a new facility in Plant City.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published March 19, 2007


ADVERTISEMENT

PLANT CITY - John Travolta? In Plant City?

Word spread at a late-morning bingo game Sunday that the famous actor might make an appearance at a nearby downtown park.

He's a widely known member of the Church of Scientology, which was celebrating the opening of a new Life Improvement Center in the historic district of Plant City's Collins Street. So Robert Connor didn't think it was too far fetched and decided to check it out.

Turned out, Connor and his bingo buddies had the wrong celebrity.

Instead, he found actor Erika Christensen, who currently appears in ABC's drama series Six Degrees, and has also starred in movies that include Flightplan, Swimfan and Traffic.

"I think it's pretty cool," said Connor, 30, of Auburndale. "This is the first time I've seen a crowd like this here before."

Several hundred people showed up for Sunday's ribbon cutting ceremony at the 11,000- square-foot center in what used to be Hooker's Department Store at 102 N Collins St. The event featured a family carnival, held inside McCall Park, and tours of the facility, which plans to operate seven days a week.

The Plant City center has 44 displays depicting the principles of Dianetics, Scientology and its founder L. Ron Hubbard. It will be staffed by 14 full-time church employees who will supervise introductory Scientology courses offered there.

The church began an education program in the area during the fall that teaches English as a second language. It had been meeting at a local restaurant, but will now hold classes at the new center, said Pat Harney, a spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology in Clearwater.

Harney estimates there are 12,000 Scientologists in the Tampa Bay area alone.

"Who can find something wrong with this?" the Rev. Charles Kennedy, pastor of the Glorious Church of Christ, asked the crowd before he gave an invocation. "And this park, I don't think it will ever be the same after today."

Kennedy's gospel choir sang during the ceremony. He said he moved his church service up to 8 a.m. in order to attend.

"One thing I appreciate about Scientologists is they let us be who we are," Kennedy said.

Christensen, the actress, said she has been involved with the Church of Scientology for 10 years. She's spoken to Congress on behalf of the church's antidrug programs and uses her fame in other ways to educate.

"People of all faiths need to unite so we can solve the problems that plague us," Christensen said.

The Rev. Lynn Irons, co-executive director of the Church of Scientology, Tampa, said that's what the new center is there to help facilitate. He gave a historical view of Plant City during his remarks and pledged to help preserve that history.

"We believe man is basically good," Irons said. "He is seeking to survive and his survival depends on working with others to create a better, more cultured world."

Scientologists also have a Life Improvement Center in Ybor City, where church staffers regularly stand outside to persuade passers-by to come inside for personality or stress tests or to view a video or lecture about Scientology.

Gayle Lozier, 58, of Dunedin has been a Scientologist for 30 years. She joined because she said the church teaches things that she already believed.

"You realize you're not alone in your thinking," she said.

Chester Cercone, 71, of Lakeland had planned to spend the day exploring the antique shops in Plant City's historic downtown.

When he found out they were closed, he decided to stick around for the gospel music and fried chicken.

"I check everything out," Cercone said, pointing to a stack of pamphlets he collected on Scientology. "I wouldn't mind checking this out. That's how I became a Baptist."

As for Connor, he wasn't too far off with his Travolta rumor. The actor is scheduled to speak today, at the opening of another new Scientology center in downtown St. Petersburg.

Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

 

Two new centers

- The Church of Scientology Life Improvement Center in Plant City is located at 102 N Collins St. It will be open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

- A Life Improvement Center grand opening will take place today at 5:30 p.m. in St. Petersburg at 336 First Ave. N. John Travolta is scheduled to speak, and the event also will feature a performance by the Mystic Sheiks of Morocco, a Busch Gardens marching band. The public is invited.

 

[Last modified March 19, 2007, 07:31:22]


Share your thoughts on this story

Comments on this article
by Dave 04/27/07 01:52 PM
who thinks scientology is open to reason and logic? They wont even help a dying child with medicine because they dont beleive in that. Reason..ha! Stupidity is more like it. if your sick its not germs,its that you are stressed and holding in somethng
by Jade 04/27/07 11:49 AM
LOLOLOL! Yeah, what a great religion. They don't even promote the exploration of their "religion". They have their own very special software that won't even let you access THIS website, the St. Pete Times!http://www.scientomogy.com/the_bridge.php
by Lena 04/22/07 02:50 PM
Thank you for a very nice article.
by Stacey 03/22/07 01:03 PM
Thanks for writing such a nice, unbiased story about the opening of a Scientology organization! As a Scientologist, I just wanted to commend you for reporting the opening in a very nice way. Thanks!
by Gabriela 03/21/07 11:14 PM
I worked in Plant CIty for many years. I attended the Opening of the Center on Sunday and toured the facility. It was wondereful to see so many dedicated to end the problem with drugs, iliteracy, and violation of human rights. Thanks for what you do!
by Tammy 03/20/07 03:54 PM
I thought it was positive and good for the community in terms of services. I appreciated the fact that it was non judgemental piece and was just what happened!
by Linda 03/20/07 12:14 PM
Thanks for the terrific article!
by Pat 03/20/07 10:43 AM
Very nice article about a group that helps others.
by Jennifer 03/20/07 10:41 AM
Wow, it's so cool to have a hard working group out there truly dedicated to helping mankind. I believe the best way to educate oneself more is to go to the actual group and find out directly from them what they are all about, not from someone else.
by linda 03/20/07 08:38 AM
Clearwater is not better for those who live here. Its made for tourests and retired people. What about the young? And walking around in a suit with clip boards in this heat is dumb. This group of people have skeletons in their closet. Bad ones!
by Aaron 03/20/07 03:29 AM
Don't be fooled by false assumptions. Do not allow yourself to be swayed with Scientology's smooth talking recruiters, or high-profile celeb members. Scientology is a business. If their recruiters didn't refute this point, they wouldn't be very good.
by D 03/20/07 01:46 AM
Thriving downtown businesses???? You mean the occasional vitamin shop or travel agency that you have to call to find someone to open the door? And then there are the empty storefronts with happy pictures on them. What a joke.
by don 03/20/07 01:44 AM
Great to have a place to learn first hand about a religion that allows one to think for oneself instead of having to suspend reason through something called "faith". Surprising how open to reason and logic Scientology is. Check it out for yourself.
by Terry 03/20/07 01:31 AM
Really good reporting. The thing missing in almost all news articles is a feel for what happened, that is being reported about. The report was light in tone, the selected quotes had a common strand of light tone, it was a refreshing read.
by Steve 03/19/07 11:46 PM
Scientology has helped countless people better their lives. As people find out about it, they invariably understand that it changes no man's religion or beliefs. Scientology fully resolves the problem's that people are struggling with.
by Debbie 03/19/07 11:14 PM
This was a great article! I was there and the vibe was definitely positive and these people are active and help all regardless of race or religion. This is now a 60 year old religion and growing daily. I am proud to have them as neighbors!
by Carol 03/19/07 11:12 PM
I enjoyed this article very much. Having been a Scientologist for over 30 years, it's refreshing to see the truth in print--thanks!
by Fay 03/19/07 10:47 PM
When Church of Scientology moved in to Clearwater in the 70's, they called themselves "United Churches of Florida". Why were they hiding their true name? That right there should answer all questions if anyone's in doubt. A shame Clwtr got fooled.
by Disgusted 03/19/07 10:25 PM
I do not want my home, the city I love, or downtown St. Pete (which in recent years has worked hard to rejuvenate itself) to turn into what downtown Clearwater has become. Keep your talking head celebrites. YOU ARE NOT WANTED HERE.
by Jon 03/19/07 09:04 PM
Scientology has bettered Clearwater in ways that improve every resident's quality of life. Contrary statements only reveal bigotry. Who prefers the boarded-up shops of three decades ago over today's thriving downtown businesses? Just look.
by Jose 03/19/07 08:34 PM
It is so easy to judge and call Scientology a "cult" but some honest straight forward look at it, as this article did, would open your eyes to the honesty and hard work of this group of individuals.Keep up the balanced reporting!
by cindy 03/19/07 07:22 PM
Joanne, They are changing our town, soon the county maybe the state. It is hard to live and let live when most of the govt. officials down here are into this CULT CRAP. They are dragging everyone into their laws and corruption of MONEY!!!
by Sue 03/19/07 06:16 PM
Yes, I totally know that we, as Scientologists, can help everyone on this planet, and can get to a sane planet where there is no war, and no criminals!!! YEH A much happier place. Best ever to all, Sue
by jones 03/19/07 06:16 PM
Everyone can make his one mind about scientology, everyone that trusts his own ability to decide, has nothing to fear from Scientology. Look for yourself, look with your own eyes.
by Lynne 03/19/07 06:06 PM
Great reporting. Simple and factual and very interesting information presented without "media"created controversy. Like a breath of fresh air!
by Mary 03/19/07 05:52 PM
Scientology is not a church, nor is it a religion. I don't care what "authorities" they've found that say it is. I was lucky -- I got out after many years of brainwashing. Stay away if you know what's good for you.
by Eric 03/19/07 05:17 PM
This is truly great news. ALL people who want to assist in improving the conditions of life should bond together.
by Sue 03/19/07 04:55 PM
I'm still confused as to how a fiction writer became a founder of a "religion". If a person wants to spend all their money on this, go for it. Just don't try and recruit me.
by Carrie 03/19/07 04:31 PM
As long as the Scientologists do not try and force people to join then just leave them alone. They are not "satanic". I am not a Scientologist (I do not think you have to follow religion to believe in God) but just leave them alone.
by Holly 03/19/07 04:21 PM
I wish I could write a book about cooked up crap, sell it, have everyone believing in the nonsense and make a whole lot of money! It has a name...it's organized religion!
by Chuck 03/19/07 04:02 PM
Scientology = cult
by Lorenz 03/19/07 03:51 PM
I find it great that this facility of Scientology is opened. Scientology has brought help and a new sense of spiritual freedom to many people.
by Stephanie 03/19/07 03:50 PM
I'm very thankful there are so many great people involved in Scientolgy. God Bless them all! Thanks LRH
by Ryan 03/19/07 03:48 PM
Wow, this is great news, someone opening a location for people to get help on any subject or hard area in their life, something that is needed in today's times!
by Joanne 03/19/07 03:45 PM
Has anyone heard of live and let live. You do not have to have anything to do with Scientology not unless you want to.
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT