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Church of Scientology, Sacramento

According to the Sacramento Bee, the Church of Scientology, or CoS, has occupied a single story, 12,800 square foot (1,200 square meter) building at the corner of 15th and I streets for many years now. In late 2005 the CoS purchased a nearly 80 year old, five story former hotel. The Spanish-style Ramona building is said to have 47,000 square feet (4,500 square meters) of usable space. The price tag: $4.75 million. This does not include the unknown costs associated with buying out leases of all tenants, which Scientology did. The CoS expects to make $3.9 million from the sale of its present one story property. When I visited the Ramona in February 2008 the street level businesses looked as though the tenants escaped in the middle of the night. The CoS is due to completely remodel the interior, so the condition the former tenants left their spaces in is likely not of much concern.

I have visited Scientology's Ramona building many times since these particular photographs were taken. Many of these times I have taken photographs of the building, but nothing significant has changed. Once I notice such a change I will post photos on this webpage soon thereafter.

However, on my 4th of April visit, some subtle hints of a possible restoration could be seen. Several work vans could be spotted near the side entrance facing the Downtown Plaza parking garage. Additionally the following day, when I did not have my camera handy, I saw the front door wide open, as if workmen were going in and out frequently. They were likely preparing for the CCHR exhibit.

Having owned the building outright for nearly three years and the building being empty for one year now, it is quite strange that Scientology Sacramento has not yet moved its operations to the Ramona building. The lobby and other rooms visible from ground level windows seem to have not changed since the CCHR exhibit took place in April 2008. The signs for "Luis Jr.'s Mexican Food" and "Hand in Hand Bail Bonds" are still clearly visible on the building, the latter being made up of raised lit letters spanning the length of three awnings. Perhaps Anonymous, a group of anti-Scientology protesters who have been protesting Scientology branches monthly since February 2008, has kept Scientology on its toes and has chosen to lay low for a while. This certainly makes sense, as Scientology's current location in Sacramento on 15th and "I" streets has much less traffic and visibility than the Ramona, on 6th street and "J" street, a very busy thoroughfare indeed.

Members

Forty-three adults can be seen in the CCHR ribbon cutting ceremony, which would mean 50 members would be a good estimate of the membership of Scientology's Sacramento branch. One child was also in attendance but was not present for the ribbon cutting. Hoovers reports "Church Of Scientology Of Sacramento" to have annual sales of $1 million with total employees numbering 55. Mike Klagenberg, a real estate agent, appears to be in charge of the operation.

April 2008 Anonymous protest

Sacramento CoS's CCHR exhibit.