Scientology invites pilgrims to visit the holy of holies — LRH’s Saint Hill office
Our tipster who let us know a new issue of Scientology’s Advance! magazine was out also mentioned that there was something that might interest us this time besides the fun ghost stories of “OT Phenomena” that we looked at yesterday.
And we have to say, we really do appreciate the way the magazine presented the possibility of its readers making a pilgrimage to Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England and stopping by the holy of holies — founder L. Ron Hubbard’s personal office, and the religious artifacts preserved there.
There’s the holy telex machine, for example, poised to punch out a new dispatch from South Africa or Melbourne for Ron, who, we’re told, manned it “day and night.”
Scientology likes to play down the idea that Ron is some kind of deity. He was just a man, after all. Sure, he was the most extraordinary man who ever lived, mind you, but still, a mere mortal and not a god.
But when you read a description of his former office like this, you have to wonder!
The Command Centre
A visit to Ron’s Office is a privileged look into the actual site of many of his most momentous discoveries and directives.
There are countless notable features that in sum make Saint Hill so renowned for its historical and spiritual significance. Paramount among these is that this is where LRH codified the Bridge, mapping the route to Clear and OT and where he developed the Seven Division Org Board. And while every inch of Saint Hill is infused with the presence of LRH, nowhere is that more apparent than in his office.
When you step into LRH’s Office, you are entering the command centre, the place where he oversaw the extraordinary growth of Scientology through the early and mid-1960s. Located within the 30-room Manor, it was in this very office that LRH wrote hundreds of HCO Bulletins and HCO Policy Letters to guide the expansion of the religion worldwide. In evidence of that expansive era, there is the British-made Creed & Company telex machine. It was installed to facilitate communications with Churches from Africa to the Americas and was manned by LRH at all hours of the day and night. As he said, “Communication is very important in Scientology and we’re in very close touch with every office in the world. The sun never sets on Scientology.”
In its perfectly preserved state, LRH’s Office is truly stunning. He personally directed the design and decor. Among other appointments of note are the nautical-styled wall sconces (reflecting his lifelong love of the sea), the custom-made light oak desk and the red leather banquettes designed as seating for his staff. His office further retains decorative accents, including 12th-century tiles adorning the mantelpiece. Saint Hill employees passing outside LRH’s Office frequently heard him on the Wurlitzer organ and innovative Mellotron electronic keyboard. His Mellotron was among the first in the United Kingdom.
Also on display are reminders of LRH’s many pursuits and interests, such as the copy of Photography magazine on his desk and the film projector ready for a screening.
The dominant rich red colour only adds to the beauty and vibrancy of this room. It all combines for a unique opportunity to experience an intimate look into the larger-than-life legacy that is the foundation for a better future for all of Mankind.
Caption: A Living Legacy
The many facets of LRH’s talents and pursuits are evident everywhere in his office. An avid composer who mastered many instruments as well as recording technologies, LRH regularly performed on his Kemble piano, Wurlitzer organ and Mellotron electronic keyboard. His desk, draped in a Navajo blanket, holds notable items such as a Policy Letter he drafted, a red quill pen given to him by his personal secretary, an address book and trinkets from his children.
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The Mellotron was not just an electronic organ like the Wurlitzer. It had tape loops for each sound, so you could play what sort of sounded like a violin or trumpet.
Hubbard later got a Fairlight, which did the same thing with crude digital recordings. You can hear it on his famous song "Windsplitter".
He also had a beautiful old Hammond B3 with a Leslie cabinet (rotating speaker to make a haunting vibrato sound). This was completely electric except the tubed amplifiers, using rotating disks to make the sounds. Rockers like the Doors loved the B3 because the sound had a little percussive bite to it as the keys made contact.
There is a famous picture of Hubbard playing the Wurlitzer with one hand and the Mellotron with the other. Sadly, no recordings were made for us to mock.
The classic hyperbole is indicative of Scientology’s portrayal of Hubbard. This paragraph is something I have first hand knowledge.
“The many facets of LRH’s talents and pursuits are evident everywhere in his office. An avid composer who mastered many instruments as well as recording technologies, LRH regularly performed on his Kemble piano, Wurlitzer organ and Mellotron electronic keyboard.”
BS. I worked with Hubbard in several music groups on the Apollo in 1974. I also wrote an original instrumental that was somewhat sophisticated for its time while on the ship. A piece called BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
If he really could play and compose he would have hammered out melodies or chord progressions and rhythms for us. He was not an avid composer. He was not even a hummer. The Apollo Stars album was his level of direction. Not very musical.
Hubbard set the pattern of lying about himself and his minions follow that formula religiously to this day.