New Headquarters for Regional South African Scientology Church

South Africans Scientologists announce major property purchase in Port Elizabeth

The Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth has completed the purchase of one of the city’s historic landmark—the United Building on the corner of St Mary‘s Terrace and Govan Mbeki Avenue. It will contribute to the area not only by way of the planned R6-million restoration and renovation project but also through increased community activities that will now be possible.

The R8-million building will be the regional headquarters for the religion.

This announcement comes on the heals of a recent milestone for Scientology in South Africa: the Commissioner of Revenue recognized the church as a public benefit organization and granted it tax-exemption.

The church has also recently acquired new property in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.

“We see our investment in Nelson Mandela Bay as a contribution to the uplifting of the area as has been so well demonstrated by the Mandela Bay Development Agency at the recent opening of Govan Mbeki Avenue,” said Paul Sondergaard, public affairs director for the religion in South Africa.

Sondergaard went on to say the building would be restored “to its former glory to add to the heritage of Port Elizabeth” and emphasized that the new property would make it possible to greatly expand the church’s anti-drug and human rights campaigns and provide more assistance to the region through its volunteer ministry—an international help and disaster relief organization with a membership of 100,000 worldwide.