Hines was eager to discuss Hubbard’s “Message for Black People,” in which he extols the virtues of his creed and the benefits it can bring to followers. Hubbard writes, “Completely aside from what it means to whites, Scientology offers to the black people of America a wonderful chance.”
Harlem was chosen for the church’s location because of its historic role as the center of the city’s black community, but few of the church’s members are from there, said Hines. Most are from the Bronx and Brooklyn, where small pockets of faithful Scientologists form “Dianetics groups” and are supported by the church in Harlem. Eventually, the church plans to build centers in these boroughs. Manhattan already is home to two other Scientology churches, on West 46th and East 82nd streets.
In a predominantly Christian community like Harlem, the emergence of Scientology may seem out of place, and while some Harlem churchgoers have expressed ire with the organization, on the whole there has been little opposition.
“We’re not concerned with their faith. We would be concerned with how they would be good neighbors and actively improve living conditions,” said Lucille McEwen, president and CEO of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement. “Our long-term residents certainly need things like recreational centers, and to the extent they’re providing those, and providing them without trying to promote their faith, we welcome them,” she added. McEwen said that she did not know much about Scientology’s practices.
Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, pastor of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, echoed that perspective. “One of the things they deal with is a lot of stuff about stress. And I can see why that’d be very appealing to people in this neighborhood," he said.
Kooperkamp, who has worked in Harlem for more than 25 years, was surprised at the church’s growth, but said the neighborhood has always been tolerant of alternative spiritual paths.
