Booming Scientology Mission of Belleair Needed Room to Grow—That’s Now Been Accomplished

The Scientology religion has been undergoing rapid expansion, particularly during the last decade when scores of new churches have opened across the globe. Cornerstones of that growth are the religion’s missions, which provide an open door to people who seek to inquire about Scientology.

One of the most successful missions—one that has brought thousands of people the news of personal freedom that is the heart of the Scientology message—is the Church of Scientology Mission of Belleair, just a few miles from the religion’s worldwide spiritual headquarters in Clearwater.

The numerous activities at the Mission, ranging from spiritual counseling to humanitarian crusades, outgrew its facilities in recent years. That has now changed. The Church of Scientology Mission of Belleair opened its new building—a much larger, 10,000 square foot facility in Largo—on November 23, 2019.

“Today we are setting a new course for this Mission, establishing it as a place from which we can provide even more help to the community,” said Adriana Scarpellini, executive director of the Mission, at the opening ceremony. “From here, we will disseminate the works of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. And from here, we will also emanate Mr. Hubbard’s solutions for drug rehabilitation, drug prevention, and campaigns to salvage every sector of society.”

Over 500 well-wishers—both Scientologists and friends of the religion—celebrated the opening of the Mission’s new facilities. Ms. Scarpellini told the crowd about the vision she and her staff have for the Mission and area as “a place where respect and integrity are to be found … where you and your children can grow in peace … and, above all, where people of goodwill can prosper.”

Three additional speakers joined Ms. Scarpellini on the ceremony’s stage: Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters; Neil Brickfield, the executive director of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League; and Christopher King, CEO of the Gentleman’s Course, and president of United for Human Rights Florida chapter.

The guest speakers at the opening noted the work the Mission and Scientology do in helping thousands of people throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Neil Brickfield said, “I started back in 2013, [as ED of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Athletic League in Lealman] and I knew right away I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed good community partners. So I started working my network, and the first group to answer the call was the Church of Scientology and they have been our partners ever since.”

Both Peters and King acknowledged the Church of Scientology and Scientologists for the work they are doing to improve the lives of thousands in communities throughout Tampa Bay.

Chris King said, “The way that I feel the Church of Scientology has made a difference, is by providing not just one resource but a multitude of resources and avenues. And despite that, you have never requested anything of me—only given to me in return. What that says is that the intent of the Church of Scientology is to better humanity. Period.”

Commissioner Peters said, “At the end of the day, government alone cannot solve everything. We need partnerships. We need people who are willing to be involved, to find solutions and get them implemented. And I have found that the members of this community and this church are those people.”

The executive director closed the ceremony with an acknowledgement to the staff and parishioners who had assisted in the renovation and opening of the new building and for their years of dedication to the mission.

Then Mission’s executive director and key contributors pulled the ribbon and led everyone into the building.

After extensive renovation—enhanced by work from local artists and artisans—the former medical office building now features a bright décor accented by light blue and gray tones, with ultra-modern gray and yellow furniture surrounding large blocks of beautifully repurposed oak.

On the first floor of the two-story building, there is also a large seminar room, the executive director’s office and four executive offices, all surrounded by windows looking out on to the Mission’s fertile greenery. The Purification Rundown, a beginning Scientology service that removes the harmful spiritual effects of drugs and toxins from the body, is done in a separate wing on the first floor of the building.

Largo has been called “The City of Trees,” and the Mission salvaged dozens of trees that line and dot the property, adding a comforting green backdrop viewed through the mission’s large, expansive windows.

The impact creates a serene setting and invites guests to interact in small groups throughout the gathering space behind the wide and friendly reception area. A multimedia display in the public area, containing over 100 videos, is there to answer visitors’ questions on the life of Mr. Hubbard and his Dianetics and Scientology technologies.  The religion’s campaigns on social betterment and humanitarian endeavors are also displayed.

Delivery of Dianetics and Scientology religious services are conducted on the second floor in the 10 auditing (Scientology counseling) rooms and two course rooms.

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The Mission is specially set up to provide beginning Scientology services, including Life Improvement courses through which anyone may find workable solutions to common challenges of everyday life—such as how to improve relationships, setting goals and increasing personal motivation, improving marriage and family life, successfully raising children, personal integrity and honesty, and many others.

Daily seminars on a wide range of topics, including personal efficiency are featured at the Mission. The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar, held every weekend, is based on Mr. Hubbard’s watershed work Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the best-selling book that reveals the source of one’s nightmares, unreasonable fears and irrational behavior—the reactive mind—and how to conquer it.

Additionally, the Mission offers spiritual counseling, known as auditing, and the Purification Rundown, a closely supervised regimen enabling an individual to rid the body of the harmful effects of drugs, toxins and other chemicals that lodge in the body and impede spiritual progress.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups. For more information on Scientology log on to www.scientology.org or watch any of the shows on Scientology TV streaming at www.scientology.TV.

For more information on the Church of Scientology Mission of Belleair, visit 1601 West Bay Drive, Largo Florida 33770. Mission staff can also be reached at
727-501-9996 or belleair@scientology.net. The Mission is open 1 to 10 p.m. six days a week and is closed on Saturdays.