Residents of a community in South Dublin, Ireland, have expressed disappointment after the Church of Scientology was reported to have purchased a large building previously used by a Christian church for its worship service.

(REUTERS / Francois Lenoir) The entrance of the European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights of the Church of Scientology is pictured in Brussels, Belgium March 11, 2016.

Victory Christian Fellowship used to operate at a large building on Firhouse Road in South Dublin, but the structure is now believed to have been snapped up by the Church of Scientology. Local residents are not happy with the news, with Fine Gael Councillor Brian Lawlor lamenting the Department of Education's failure to acquire the building and transform it into an educational center, the Irish Independent relayed.

The Church of Scientology is now expected to branch out to south Dublin after the reported purchase of the former church building. The Journal.ie has reportedly seen a document showing that the U.S.-based organization has paid for the shipping of equipment to an address listed as "CSI Ireland Community Center, Firhouse Road, Tymon South, Dublin 24."

As of the moment, the only Church of Scientology International is located in Los Angeles, California. Sources indicated that the purchase does not mean that the organization's headquarters is being moved to Ireland, but that the new center could be used as its base in Europe.

The building in question was sold last year for around 6 million euros. It contains large meeting rooms and a 1,200-seater worship hall.

Currently, the Church of Scientology in Ireland runs two branches in Dublin city center. The organization reportedly put up a new National Affairs Office on Merrion Square to help meet people's physical and spiritual needs, and to also tackle poverty, homelessness, and other social problems in the area.

"By opening the doors of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office for Ireland, we are continuing in the tradition of our Founder L Ron Hubbard who himself held an office at 69 Merrion Square," Church leader David Miscavige said during the opening of the center. "And we do so with the intent to offer our humanitarian initiatives to all in honour of our founder and the aims of Scientology — a civilisation without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights."

Meanwhile, Lawlor told the publication that he had already brought up his concern with the council. For him, the decision to turn down the Department of Education's plan to establish a school in the site is a "short-sighted" move, considering that there is a high demand for educational centers in the area.