A NEW LANDMARK COMES TO LIFE
riving north into Clearwater on Fort Harrison Avenue, the building appears suddenly on the horizon through the greenery — its red-tile Mediterranean roof and golden stucco gleaning in the morning sun.
It unquestionably has become the most prominent structure in downtown Clearwater, and when it is completed in just over a year, it will be the largest building in Pinellas County at 380,000 square feet, comprising 889 rooms on six floors. A lighted Scientology cross will top the building’s highest tower, 150 feet from the ground.
The new Flag Building, directly across from the Fort Harrison Hotel and connected by way of a skywalk, is the new religious center for the Church of Scientology in downtown Clearwater. Its name comes from the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization — “Flag” deriving from the nautical term “flagship,” or lead vessel. The name is a suitable one as this Church of Scientology in Clearwater is the international spiritual headquarters of the religion and the largest Church of Scientology in the world. Certain advanced services in the Scientology religion are only available at Flag.
For parishioners, the new building brings the promise of a greatly expanded availability of the services they come here to partake in from around the world.
