The Church of Scientology Tampa opened on March 13, 2011, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The new home for the Church of Scientology occupies the historic Ybor Square in the heart of old Tampa.
The Church of Scientology Tampa
Tampa’s original cigar factory now serves as an ideal home for the Church of Scientology. The new facilities enable the Church to better provide its social and humanitarian programs to the benefit of Tampa Bay.
Careful detail was paid to the preservation of the historical black iron steps that lead to the entrance of the Church of Scientology Tampa. These steps were once the site of the famous gathering and speech by Cuban national hero, José Martí, in 1893.
The new home for the Church of Scientology Tampa has a history dating to 1886, when Vicente Martinez Ybor, a pioneer in the tobacco industry, made Tampa his home. It was here he established what is now Ybor Square as his manufacturing center. The Church meticulously restored this landmark, which is open to the public.
The Church of Scientology of Tampa extends a welcome to all visitors to tour the Public Information Center. Its displays feature films on Scientology beliefs and practices.
Historical Tobacco Press
This original tobacco presssits in the foyer of the new Church of Scientology Tampa. It is one of the many artifacts preserved in the new Church.
Historical Tin Panel Ceiling
Ybor Square’s historical embossed tin panel ceilings were carefully preserved and restored by the Church of Scientology.
Public Information Center
The Church of Scientology of Tampa Public Information Center presents hundreds of films, providing an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, as well as the many Church-sponsored social betterment and humanitarian programs.
Public Information Center
The Church of Scientology of Tampa Public Information Center presents hundreds of films, providing an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, as well as the many Church-sponsored social betterment and humanitarian programs.
L. Ron Hubbard Exhibition
The Church of Scientology Tampa presents an exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Church’s grand opening commemorated Mr. Hubbard’s Centennial birthday celebration.
Historical Staircase
Just off the Public Information Center stands the Factory Building’s historical staircase. At the turn of the last century, every morning hundreds of tabaqueros (cigar makers) and other cigar factory workers climbed these stairs to reach the “galley”, as the factory floor was called.
The Chapel
All congregational gatherings are convened in the Church of Scientology of Tampa Chapel—Weddings, Naming Ceremonies (christenings) and Sunday Services. The Chapel provides for its thriving congregation and serves as a venue for community events and functions.
The Chapel
The Scientology Chapel is the site of all Church religious services. It also hosts public gatherings and community banquets.
Seminar Room
A full wing of the Tampa Church is devoted to the delivery of Scientology Introductory services. These include seminars such as the Personal Efficiency Course, an evening seminar providing fundamental Scientology principles applicable to every aspect of life and work.
Dianetics and Scientology Bookstore
The L. Ron Hubbard legacy comprises tens of millions of published words, recorded lectures and films on the mind, life and spirit. These materials are available to parishioners and newcomers alike. The bookstore offers materials in English and Spanish, while Mr. Hubbard’s beginning library is available in 50 languages.
Hubbard Guidance Center
In the Hubbard Guidance Center Scientologists receive spiritual counseling known as auditing. Auditing provides a precise route by which individuals may travel to higher states of spiritual awareness.
On the second floor of the Stemmery Building sits the historical Reader’s Stand, circa 1886. The Reader (El Lector) read for the cigar makers as they worked. Reading material included Spanish language newspapers, as well as translated English newspaper and popular novels.
Auditing Room Hallway
The new Church of Scientology Tampa is equipped to deliver auditing (spiritual counseling) to Scientologists from all over Tampa Bay. The Church stands ready with dozens of auditing rooms, each ideally appointed to provide a calm, distraction-free setting for spiritual enlightenment.
Auditing Room
The Church of Scientology of Tampa includes dozens of auditing rooms, each ideally appointed to provide the calm, distraction-free setting necessary to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
The Purification Center
L. Ron Hubbard developed the Purification Program to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs. The Tampa Church of Scientology’s Purification Center pays homage to the history of Ybor city.
Scientology Course Room
Scientologists study an array of courses to train as auditors (spiritual counselors), capable of applying Dianetics and Scientology technology to help others attain spiritual freedom.
The Office of L. Ron Hubbard
As is traditional in all Churches of Scientology, an office of L. Ron Hubbard stands in honor of the Founder and symbolizes that this Church is true to his writings and ideals.
The Church of Scientology of Tampa is open seven days a week and welcomes anyone interested in learning about Dianetics and Scientology or the Church’s many social betterment and humanitarian programs.
The new home for the Church of Scientology Tampa stands in the heart of Ybor City. Registered as a historical landmark, the Church meticulously restored the 88,000-square-foot facility.