Scientologists are starting to voice their frustration as the Church’s international management refuse to announce the date of the upcoming IAS (International Association of Scientologists) event, which usually takes place one weekend in October.
The event, a three-day celebration typically attended by Scientology celebrities Tom Cruise, Nancy Cartwright and Jenna Elfman, is an annual gathering of the Church’s official membership body and marks the anniversary of its founding on October 7th. However, a date for this year’s gathering is yet to be announced and resentment is growing among parishioners who are hoping to attend from abroad.
The IAS event is the largest fundraising event in Scientology’s calendar and the only event hosted by reclusive leader David Miscavige in Europe. It usually takes place at the Church’s countryside Saint Hill compound near East Grinstead, Sussex – the former home of founder L. Ron Hubbard – in a giant marquee constructed especially for the occasion. Thousands of parishioners flock to Sussex from across the continent to hear Captain Miscavige speak, often leading to congestion on local roads.
However, the exact date for this year’s event has yet to be announced. An insider at one org in the UK told us “They have all these posters up to keep your October weekends free. I would say that there is a sense that this is the most ridiculous it’s been, people are being called and being asked to confirm all the weekends in October.”
Although preparations begin months in advance, the event’s date is often not released until the very last minute. Last year after Scientology applied for a protest ban, Mid-Sussex District Council met with Church officials where they were reminded of their obligation to provide the local authority with a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice before any major events under Section 18 of the Licensing Act 2003. A church representative, understood to be Graeme Wilson, explained “it is difficult to provide the exact date 6 weeks in advance, due to the Los Angeles filming schedule.” He said “they are provided with 3 date options which they provide to MSDC as soon as they have them. The Church prepare for the event to be held on any of the 3 dates provided.”
In 2023, the event took place on the weekend of 3rd – 5th November, with the dates being announced four weeks prior on 3rd October. In 2024, the date was announced on 5th October and the event took place just three weeks later on 24th October.
After speaking with former high ranking executives who served in the Church’s senior management, we understand the IAS event’s exact date can only be determined by leader David Miscavige himself, often leading to things being last minute as a result of his reclusive nature. Staff at Saint Hill know it’ll likely take place in October, as that’s the anniversary of the founding of the IAS, but the final date isn’t confirmed without Miscavige’s approval.
Considering thousands of Scientologists attend the event from across Europe, the indecisiveness is leading to problems for parishioners hoping to book flights in order to attend this year’s gathering. Saint Hill have also applied for a Hoarding Licence in order to separate attendees from protestors, however it expires on 31st October meaning if the event is delayed until November, they may need to make a fresh application.
Meanwhile, the mammoth 45,000 square foot marquee erected on the property in order to host the event has now been in place for several weeks, with construction starting in early August. Despite lacking planning permission and being situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Scientology so far appear to be getting away with a very clear breach in planning laws. Last year, Mid-Sussex District Council issued a Planning Contravention Notice, though it is unclear whether any enforcement action is being taken this year.
