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Rev. Dr. O. C. Smith
Rev. Dr. Robbie Gholson Smith
Co-Founders
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As the membership grew, Rev O. C. and Robbie realized
that the one-day-a-week approach to their ministry was not sufficient to
provide City of Angels members ample opportunity to fully understand the
profound aspects of Religious Science teachings. Members asked for a mid-week
service that gave them a spiritual lift, others requested classes and
seminars to learn more specific details about Science of Mind concepts
and practices.
In 1987, Rev O.C. instituted the Wednesday evening
healing services and the first Tuesday evening Science of Mind Class
with an enrollment of over 100 members in the first class. The constant growth of the City of Angels Church of
Religious Science membership and attendance created the need for a
larger sanctuary, more
seminars and classes, office space, a bookstore and classrooms.
In January of 1996, Dr.
O. C.,
Robbie and the  congregation moved into their new church home at 5550
Grosvenor Blvd. in Los Angeles. This was the perfect place,
with a seating capacity of 1200, a stage with a cascading waterfall,
offices, classrooms and spaces for a bookstore and kitchen. Everyone in
the congregation rolled up their sleeves, broke out their paint brushes
and hammers and began to beautify their new facility.
On March 6th, the dedication ceremony was held with
music, entertainment and guest speakers, with Dr. Johnnie Colemon from
Chicago as the keynote speaker. A good time was had by all who attended.
The past three years have seen an ever increasing
growth. Like Dr. O. C. says, “This church
has been established for the purpose of aiding in the spiritual unfold-ment
and development of each individual that enters its door, for it is the
place where God is worshiped”.
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In September of 1985, Rev. O. C. and Mrs.  Robbie Smith sent
out stylish invitations to hundreds of friends, fellow entertainers and
acquaintances, asking them to join in celebrating the first service and
the opening of the new City of
Angels Science of Mind Center. On the front of the invitation was a
photograph of Rev. O. C. Smith dressed in a tuxedo, with the inside of
the invitation announcing the Proud Bird’s Grand Ballroom as the venue
and promised an “Abundance of Music and the Spoken Word”.
The mailing list looked like a veritable who’s who
in Entertainment, Sports, Business and Politics. On October 13th, nearly
300 people arrived for the debut. Having received her Interior
Designers Degree from UCLA, Robbie transformed the ballroom into a haven
for music, meditation and homage to the Spirit within. Rev. O. C. warmed
the spirits with music with the newly formed “Sunday Morning Band”.
Rev. O. C. Smith who had been ordained in January of 1985 was testing
his wings as a new minister. He presented his musical and spoken
messages on the teachings to which he had dedicated his life.
On the second Sunday, October 20th, 150 people
returned to form the founding membership of the City of Angels Science
of Mind Center. From that small loyal group, the church membership grew
to nearly 5,000 by 1999. Robbie Smith, who is the Executive Director of
the church, attributes the growth to the message and the music and one
simple expectation, that everyone love and appreciate who they are by
learning about their true self and their spiritual birthright.
Mr. & Mrs. Arun Gandhi
(Mahatma Gandhi's
Grandson)
Friends of the church.
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