Scientology DC Marks 70 Years with Capitol Flag Honor, Expands Community Outreach

The Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025 with a year of significant community engagement and recognition, highlighted by receiving a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol through Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. This milestone commemorated the church's establishment on July 4, 1955, and its ongoing role as a hub for public education and outreach. The church hosted numerous events at its Fraser Mansion location, including historic tours and community gatherings, emphasizing its legacy as a launch point for societal solutions rather than merely a historical site.

Throughout the year, the church amplified its community impact through several key initiatives sponsored by the Church of Scientology. The Foundation for a Drug-Free World expanded its prevention education efforts, distributing Truth About Drugs booklets at events like the RB Salzburg vs. Al-Hilal match at Audi Field and hosting open houses addressing marijuana risks, with expert Will Jones III highlighting issues like rising THC potency. Educator outreach in Virginia and Maryland reached over 100 professionals through conventions, placing materials into classrooms and generating requests for educator kits. Simultaneously, human rights education was advanced through United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights, with events such as a Peace Walk on the International Day of Peace starting at the Lincoln Memorial and open houses for Mandela Day and Human Rights Day, focusing on practical rights education and community mobilization.

The church's initiatives also included The Way to Happiness campaign, which distributed hundreds of thousands of ethics-based booklets across Washington, DC, and hosted events for World Environment Day and World Kindness Day to promote moral renewal. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) achieved legislative success with the Preventing Abduction in Youth Transport Act of 2025 in Maryland, hosted exhibits like the mobile display in Annapolis, and premiered the documentary Prescription for Violence on Scientology Network to raise awareness about mental health human rights. Additionally, Scientology Volunteer Ministers provided practical help from their yellow tent near the U.S. Capitol, while cultural events like the Washington International Piano Arts Council tournament and screenings on Scientology Network enriched community life. Looking ahead to 2026, the church plans to expand prevention education, deepen human rights partnerships, and increase mobile outreach, including through the Dianetics Truck, aiming to build on 2025's impact with greater reach and measurable community benefits.