Ten thousand scientologists are expected to descend on Clearwater, Florida this weekend for the grand opening of a 'cathedral' which has been under construction for 15 years.
The $145million Flag Building is a massive seven-story, 377,000-square-foot complex and the tallest building in Clearwater, which is the 'spiritual headquarters' of the 59-year-old religion.
The opening of the building on Sunday will mark the first time Scientologists have had a space to receive 'Super Power' training - a program developed by the religion's founder L Ron Hubbard in the 1970s.
The group broke ground on the Mediterranean Revival-style building in 1998, but stopped work after finishing the shell.
For three years, the group ceased construction on the project until the city started imposing $250-a-day fines for code violations.
Scientology defectors have explained that the building's slow construction is due to church leader's who have used the project as a fundraising cash cow.
An analysis by the Tampa Bay Times discovered that the church had raised $145million for the building, much higher than the $100million it was estimated to cost.
Former Scientologist couple Rocio and Luis Garcia of Irvine, California contributed more than $340,000 to the construction of the Super Power building, before ultimately suing the church in federal court for dragging out the project 'as a shill'.
Church representatives have described the Garcia's suit as 'frivolous'.
New Scientology building in Florida has floor where members get 'super powers' | Mail Online
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