by Sanchy 31 Replies latest jw friends
My mom, while pregnant with me, was one of thousands of JW volunteers to work on the construction of this once beautiful assembly hall in south Florida circa 1984. It had a beautiful pond, waterfall, and even a resident alligator. Many remember it as well for it's huge plaster murals on the walls showing scenes of paradises.
Pics as it was before (sorry for the low quality, struggled to find good pics of the auditorium as it was, if you have any good ones, do share them):
Now it's the "West Temple" of a prominent Spanish Megachurch called "Segadores", which literally translates to "Reapers". Jehovah's house now has lights, singing and dancing, politicians speaking and even a Christmas tree in the entry lobby:
Pictures are worth a thousand words and that says it all. But why did the org sell it? Circuit assemblies are such good money makers
We were told that it was a very expensive building to maintain. Since they had just finished renovating a bigger auditorium in West Palm Beach, about a 30 min drive from this one, it made sense for them to consolidate the circuits and meet there instead.
We were also told that with the funds raised from the sale of this one we would pay off the loan due for the West Palm Beach auditorium and that we'd keep any leftover money for a possible newer, more efficient circuit hall closer to us in Miami.
Almost 7 years later, money from sale vanished and there's no more talk of a new hall closer to us.
why did the org sell it?
Maybe because....
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/198449/ft-lauderdale-griffin-rd-assembly-hall
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Palm_Beach_Christian_Convention_Center
Assemblies are still going on, the brothers are travelling quite a distance to get there and driving by "Segadores" Auditorium.
I remember the sisters in our hall literally crying when the elder on the platform announced this Assembly Hall would be sold. If only they knew what it has become! All the hard work that all the jws put in making this hall so beautiful....wasted and sold to Babylon the Great!
Wow, the megachurh looks awesome and they look happier than anything the GB does.
There's a fundamental irony floating around here, somewhere... :smirk:
Sanchy
Almost 7 years later, money from sale vanished and there's no more talk of a new hall closer to us.
That promise is a very "old and trusted con"; they made the same promise with the Assembly Halls of Liemert Park and Woodland Hills in S California (documented here in this site) and after like 30 years the brothers are still waiting for the local replacements.
