Princeton Theological Seminary students visit the home of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, where he wrote his book Dianetics

KingNewsWire. Professor Afe Adogame led Princeton Theological Seminary students on a tour of L. Ron Hubbard’s former home in Bay Head, New Jersey, where Hubbard wrote “Dianetics.” The tour, enriched by historical reflections from Mayor William Curtis, highlighted Hubbard’s impact and the importance of the house as a historic site.

In the community of Bay Head, New Jersey, a group of students from Princeton Theological Seminary go on a guided tour of history guided by Professor Afe Adogame, a recognized expert in exploring emerging religious movements. This excursion took place in advance of the commemoration of the release of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, an important publication by L. Ron Hubbard, the esteemed American writer and founder of Scientology.

The famous L. Ron Hubbard Residence, where Mr. Hubbard wrote his New York Times bestselling book, was the setting for this learning experience. This residence, currently recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, represents a period of Mr. Hubbard’s life and the broader history of religious movements in America.

Professor Adogame, who holds a doctorate in the history of religions from the University of Bayreuth in Germany, currently teaches religion and society at Princeton. He is also Associate Professor of Global Christianity and Religious Studies and International Director of the School of Divinity at New College at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His academic career and administrative role have positioned him as a figure in religious studies.

Throughout the tour, students learned about Mr. Hubbard’s impact on religious thought and the historical context surrounding his efforts. The house, where Mr. Hubbard resided between September 1949 and April 1950, is the only Bay Head property recognized to date by the U.S. Department of the Interior for its historic significance.

The group was greeted by Bay Head’s Mayor William Curtis, who recently honored Hubbard posthumously by presenting him with the first-ever Key to the City. Mayor Curtis shared his views on the town’s maritime heritage and the warmth and friendliness of its community, which he described as the essence of Bay Head’s unique character.

The tour also highlighted the city’s long-standing ties to Princeton Theological Seminary, recalling how seminary leaders helped create Bay Head Chapel, a local landmark.

Reflecting on this experience, Professor Adogame praised Hubbard’s exceptional qualities, highlighting his charisma and profound impact on existential and spiritual issues. “Visiting Hubbard’s residence not only connects us to a pivotal moment in religious history, but also enriches our understanding of the complex dynamics that shape spiritual movements,” Adogame said.

The L. Ron Hubbard Residence continues to offer tours, attracting visitors eager to follow in Hubbard’s footsteps and explore the origins of Scientology. Having just celebrated the 74th anniversary of “Dianetics,” the residence remains a central site for those interested in the intersections of religion, history and culture.

Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is now translated into more than 50 languages ​​and has more than 22 million copies in the hands of readers in 160 countries.

Born March 13, 1911, Mr. Hubbard initially took possession of the Bay Head House during the first week of September 1949 and compiled 12 years of independent research into the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. It was also in New Jersey that he trained the first practitioners of Dianetics. Then also, plans were drawn up at Bay Head House for the first Hubbard Foundation for Dianetics Research and thus the framework for a movement now spanning over 150 nations. Bay Head, New Jersey is home to L. Ron Hubbard, where the Dianetics saga began.