The Dianetics and Scientology Center of Melrose opened with fanfare Saturday, August 30, 2003, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house tours that lasted late into the night.

An eclectic crowd of curious and interested 20-somethings, and older, came to 7709 Melrose Avenue, to find the answer for themselves to “what is Scientology?” They rubbed shoulders with “Young Hollywood” — Scientologists Jason Lee, Lynsey Bartilson, Denice Duff, Michael Duff, Marisol Nichols and professional skateboardist Steve Berra. They learned that the center offers introductory lectures, courses and spiritual counseling, including the popular Purification Rundown which rids the body of drugs and toxins to facilitate spiritual growth.


Actress Rachel Miner dedicated the new Melrose Dianetics and Scientology center, saying it is her way of helping others achieve their goals in life.
Sponsored by actress Rachel Miner, the Dianetics and Scientology center is headed by veteran Scientologists Tom and Cathy Steiner. The executive director is Monica Geller. At the opening ceremonies, Miner spoke emotionally about the importance of achieving one’s own goals and dreams and said that bringing Scientology to Melrose is her contribution to achieving her own goals and helping others achieve theirs.

She quoted Dianetics and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard: “There is only one way, really, to get into a state of living and that’s live! There is no substitute for an all-out, over-the-ramparts, howling charge against life. That’s living.”

Tom and Cathy Steiner closed the ceremonies relating an Indian legend that if you tell a wish to a butterfly the butterfly will not tell anyone the wish but will carry it to the Great Spirit. According to the legend, in gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish. The Steiners then opened a basket and released 50 large butterflies into the air.

The crowd, overflowing onto a closed-off section of Melrose Avenue, gasped as the butterflies flew off. They burst into cheers moments later when Miner and the Steiners pulled a rope and the large yellow ribbon wrapping the building came down and a thousand brightly colored balloons went up.

The tours and open house continued, with the hundreds of visitors enjoying a special collection of photographs and quotations of L. Ron Hubbard as they toured the reception areas, course rooms, counseling rooms and offices.

The decor is “chic Bohemian” with abundant teak, rose wood and mahogany, strand woven bamboo floors with Indian and Chinese throw rugs in cranberry and earth tones, suede furniture and window drapes in cranberry silk. Walls are two-tone earth colors with faux finish. On the walls hang musical instruments alongside artwork by Scientologists.

There was also an outdoor barbecue and bands featuring young Scientologists.

The center is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and Sundays by appointment.