Inside the Church of Scientology's new $14m Sydney headquarters where anyone is welcome for 'purification' sessions and a free sauna



The Church of Scientology has opened a gleaming new centre in Sydney

World leader David Miscavige, a friend of actor Tom Cruise opened centre

The seven floor heritage building is purpose built to attract new followers

A 'purification centre' with sauna awaits anyone who walks in off the street



The building was refitted with donations from Scientology devotees

Donating $1m makes you a 'New Civilisation Builder' and $500k donors are 'gold humanitarians'

Donating $1m gives a person the status of 'New Civilisation Builder'. Those giving half a million are 'gold humanitarians'

From the purification centre with sauna to 'free individuals from mental and spiritual damage' to the chapel with 'holy roller' lighting, the Church of Scientology's newly refurbished $14 million headquarters has opened for business.

Furniture custom-made in the US is stamped with special Scientology symbols and built to an exact height that is replicated in the church's centres throughout the world.

The centre, which has plushly decorated rooms with 'touch therapy' beds and sleekly designed 'e-metres' to diagnose psychological ills, is designed to lure new followers through its doors.

Light fanatic aisles: the chapel of the Church of Scientology's new Sydney centre is open every day of the year up until 10pm and holds regular services as well as weddings and naming ceremonies

Sweat it out: the Purification Centre in the basement of Scientology's new Sydney headquarters has a 'medium temperature' sauna, exercise machines and a nutrition programme which allows all newcomers to free themselves 'from mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins' before they begin studying the texts of founder L Ron Hubbard

Friend of the stars: World leader of the Church of Scientology David Miscavige opened the Sydney centre (above) in a glittering ticker tape ceremony. Miscavige is a close friend of actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise

Lots to read: the first floor of Sydney's new Scientology centre where thousands of books and Star Trek style video pods with short movies about L Ron Hubbard await anyone who walks in off the street

More than 2500 people including local Scientologists attended a ticker tape ceremony for the launch of the centre by world church leader David Miscavige, who is a close friend of actor Tom Cruise. Scientology claims it has 150,000 Australian members, although Census numbers put the figure at under 3000.



The Sydney branch told the MailOnline business had been brisk in the days since the launch, with people flocking in off the street to 'learn more about our church'.

On a tour of the premises, the MailOnline was forbidden from photographing the 'Hall of Fame' honour roll which lists the names of followers according to how much money they have donated.

Donating $1m gives a person the status of 'New Civilisation Builder'. Those giving half a million are 'gold humanitarians'.



In the basement, people who walk in off the street have access to a free 'medium temperature' sauna, exercise machines and a nutrition programme which allows all newcomers to free themselves from 'drugs and toxins' before they begin studying the texts of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard.

Food for thought: the brand new cafe on the second floor of Sydney's Scientology headquarters allows potential converts to spend the whole day at the centre

New equipment: Specially manufactured devices called 'e-metres' are used to monitor and diagnose emotional and physical ills according to Scientology counsellors

Plush rooms: Furnished with custom-made desks and chairs which bear Scientology symbols, these rooms are used to take followers 'through the levels' of the church's doctrines

The 'e-metres' are used to monitor and diagnose emotional and physical ills, according to Scientology counsellors.

A brand new cafe on the second floor of Sydney's Scientology headquarters allows potential converts to spend the whole day at the centre.

The rooms on the upper floors, which overlook Sydney's Hyde Park, include a Field Activities Centre where adherents plan Scientology missions and expansion of the Sydney-based South East Asian network.

Open for business: Sydney's heritage Vickery building which dates back to 1908 was reconfigured to include a welcoming entrance to attract potential new Scientology followers Field of dreams: The new building's Field Activities Centre where adherents plan Scientology missions and expand networks

Multi-million dollar view: Sydney's Hyde Park from the window of the secluded upper levels of Scinetology's HQ

Lesson time: Two floors of meeting and study rooms allow plenty of space for new followers of the church

Each floor is furnished with custom made desks and chairs bearing the the 'new-era' Scientology symbol with a 'S' curving through two triangles, and with statues and carvings of lions, the church's 'symbol of inspiration for our counsellors'.



Scientologists working in the new centre all wear a version of a navy and white military uniform, based on founder Hubbard's time in the US Navy.

On the building's ground floor, dozens of black-and-white photographs of Hubbard tell his life story and promote him as a genius and man of many talents - 'photographer, author, pilot'.



Animal magic: Sydney Scientologists say the lion symbol was adopted as inspiration for its counsellors who learn how to use the 'e-metre' devices (above) in the church's prac room

Symbolic: Every piece of custom-made furniture bears the 'new-era' Scientology symbol with a 'S' curving through two triangles

L Ron: A bronze bust of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard sits on the dais of the Sydney centre's chapel, converted (above) to a dining room for special occasions

Adornments: in the bookshop and gift store on the centres upper floors, specially-designed Scientology jewellery is for sale