The Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC marked its 70th anniversary in 2025 while expanding multiple community initiatives across the metropolitan region, receiving congressional recognition for its decades of civic engagement. The church's year-end review highlights significant growth in public education programs addressing drug prevention, human rights, ethics, and mental health awareness, with plans for further expansion in 2026.
The anniversary celebration on July 4-5, 2025 included historic tours and commemorative events at key locations tied to Scientology's early history in Washington. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton presented the church with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in recognition of its 70 years of spiritual service and community impact. This symbolic gesture underscores the church's ongoing role as what organizers describe as a launch point for societal solutions.
Drug prevention efforts through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World expanded significantly throughout 2025. Volunteers distributed 956 Truth About Drugs booklets during an international soccer match at Audi Field on June 23. The organization hosted multiple open houses addressing marijuana risks, including one featuring prevention expert Will Jones III during Red Ribbon Week in October. Educator outreach expanded into Virginia and Maryland, with teams reaching over 100 educators at professional conventions and distributing hundreds of booklets and educator kits containing materials like Truth About Fentanyl.
Human rights education remained a consistent focus throughout the year. The church hosted open houses for Mandela Day, International Day of Peace, and Human Rights Day, featuring exhibits on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and educational resources from United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights. The International Day of Peace event included a Peace Walk beginning at the Lincoln Memorial and continuing along the National Mall, followed by programming at the church emphasizing peace through rights education.
The Way to Happiness initiative distributed hundreds of thousands of booklets across Washington, DC, reinforcing what organizers describe as a values-based roadmap for daily living. Open houses connected environmental stewardship, friendship, and kindness to ethical living and community cohesion. Congresswoman Norton presented recognition to Thalia Ghiglia for drug education outreach during a Friendship Day program.
Mental health advocacy through the Citizens Commission on Human Rights achieved legislative and educational milestones. CCHR highlighted the passage of Maryland's Preventing Abduction in Youth Transport Act of 2025, which restricts abusive practices in the troubled teen transport sector. The organization displayed its mobile exhibit in Annapolis over Memorial Day Weekend and participated in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference. CCHR's documentary Prescription for Violence: Psychiatry's Deadly Side Effects premiered on Scientology Network in December, expanding public awareness of coercive psychiatric practices.
Practical assistance programs remained visible throughout the year. Scientology Volunteer Ministers maintained a signature yellow tent near the U.S. Capitol, offering basic assistance and demonstrations of life tools to tourists and residents. The church launched a Dianetics mobile outreach truck in November, providing free stress tests and practical introductions to Dianetics methods in public spaces across DC.
Cultural programming included hosting the Washington International Piano Arts Council's 25th Annual Piano Tournament and community premieres for Scientology Network programs. Educational seminars addressed topics ranging from subconscious mind power to detoxification and well-being through the Purification Rundown seminar in October.
Looking toward 2026, church leadership outlined six priority areas: expanding drug prevention education with focus on emerging threats like fentanyl; deepening human rights education partnerships with schools and community groups; strengthening The Way to Happiness distribution and training; continuing CCHR advocacy and public awareness campaigns; increasing mobile help deployments through the Dianetics Truck and Volunteer Ministers; and enhancing cultural programming through arts and community events. External Affairs Director Chas Smith emphasized that 2025 serves as a platform for greater impact, stating the church's intention to build on visibility with deeper partnerships and broader public access in the coming year.
