Scientology opens London facility

LONDON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Several thousand members Sunday helped to inaugurate the new London headquarters of the Church of Scientology.

The six-story Victorian office cost about $43.3 million to buy and refurbish, with some of the funds coming from the church's approximately 124,000 British members, The Sunday Times of London said. Members pay to take courses to achieve what the church calls "spiritual release and freedom," the Times said.

Scientology, based in Los Angeles, was founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s. Celebrities who are members include U.S. actors Tom Cruise, Ann Archer and John Travolta.