New Kingdom Hall was built

Twenty-five years ago this week, volunteers were working to build a new Kingdom Hall.

The Oct. 9, 1996, edition of The Commercial Review featured coverage of more than 200 Jehovah’s Witnesses gathering to construct the facility following a morning prayer.

After the prayer, talk quickly turned to construction.

“Pass me a nail, brother.”

“Pass me a hammer, brother.”

“Could you help me carry this board, brother?”

Hammers pounded. Saws buzzed. An air compressor hummed.

The new Kingdom Hall on county road 200 West began to take shape after about two hours of work thanks to the 244 volunteers who were in attendance.

The project is part of the national Jehovah’s Witnesses Quick Build program, which started in 1980.

Jehovah’s Witnesses from across the state — Lafayette, Hobart, Mishawaka and Michigan City were represented — as well as some from Ohio and Michigan, visited Portland to help with the construction.

The new building replaced the congregation’s former location on Helen Street. It was about 50 years old.

Work on the new Kingdom Hall had started in September 1996, but the framing, siding and roofing were all handled by the large group of volunteers on the first weekend of October. Finishing touches were set for the following week, with the first meeting to be held there on Oct. 13, 1996.

“Noah, he had to put his life on hold to get his project finished,” said Mike Chastain, a member of the Portland building committee, in reference to the commitment to get the work done so quickly. “It’s a matter of priority.”