HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

The world-famous Golden Gate Bridge.

The history of Dianetics and Scientology in the San Francisco area began in 1950 with the release of the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard. Just a few months after its release, Mr. Hubbard, who later went on to research and develop the Scientology religion, delivered a series of four lectures in Oakland, detailing his development of the Dianetics technology. These lectures were recorded at the time and recently released as “Dianetics: Lectures and Demonstrations,” or “The Oakland Lectures”.

Those lectures sparked a local movement and many Dianetics groups were formed in the Bay Area during the 1950s. Interest in Dianetics and Scientology grew throughout the 1960s, and in 1969, Richard Melrose, a trained Dianeticist and Scientologist, established the first church in the Bay Area — the Church of Scientology of San Francisco. The Church opened its doors on Stockton Street and later moved to 414 Mason Street. In this latter location, the Church flourished.

In 1979, the Church moved to 83 McAllister. Then, with further expansion occurring, two Bay area missions became full-fledged churches: Stevens Creek and Mountain View. By the 1990s, the Los Gatos mission had joined the ranks of churches — and all three continue to thrive today.

The Church of Scientology of San Francisco continued to serve as the hub for the activities of its thousands of parishioners.

On November 29, 2003, the church and its congregation dedicated their new building at 701 Montgomery Street — located in North Beach in the original TransAmerican Building, just across the street from the TransAmerica Pyramid.


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