Ever wonder what goes on inside the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses? It is a place where people gather to learn about the Bible. It’s a place where they discuss how to use its teachings in their daily lives. The Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is more than just a building. It is a community.
Jehovah’s Witnesses hold meetings for worship twice a week. These meetings are open to everyone. You don’t have to be a member to attend. The services often involve the audience. It is similar to a classroom discussion. People can share their thoughts. Participation is always voluntary. Each meeting starts and ends with a song and a prayer.
There are no fees to attend. Collections are never taken at the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The focus is on learning and growing together.
Interestingly, the Kingdom Hall of Golden Valley Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses was designed with unique architectural elements. The building site was purchased in June 1956. Louis A. Frankus contacted Herbert Fritz. Frankus was president of the Golden Valley congregation. Fritz was an architect from Madison.
Fritz’s design included two large chimneys. Stone was used throughout the building. The meeting rooms were simple. These spaces highlight teaching and meetings. Fritz’s Kingdom Hall reflected Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian house designs.
Members helped build the Kingdom Hall to keep costs down. This reflected Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs. The stone came from Gopher Stone and Brick Company in Minneapolis. Frankus was also the treasurer and general manager of this company.
A local paper featured the Kingdom Hall in 1962. It noted the unique design and Fritz’s connection to Frank Lloyd Wright. By 1986 the Golden Valley Historical Society called it one of the most admired buildings in Golden Valley.
Herbert Fritz had a strong connection to Frank Lloyd Wright. His father worked for Wright. Fritz also studied with Wright at Taliesin. Fritz designed the Kailin house in Shorewood Hills. His designs were modest, elegant, and unique. They reflected Wright’s organic principles.
Today the Golden Valley Kingdom Hall hosts multiple congregations. These include the Golden Valley, Plymouth, and a Russian-speaking congregation. They all share the meeting space.
The Kingdom Hall has an asymmetrical design. It sits on a 1.4-acre lot. The roof is low-pitched with wide eaves. The east side has a “prow-like form” supported by steel.
Large wood-framed windows divide the light. Gray split-stone blocks add contrast. Two stone chimneys mark the southeast and northwest corners. The south entrance has double wood-framed glass doors painted rust.
The east side is set into a grassy berm. The interior includes offices classrooms and a library. It also has larger meeting rooms. Two rooms feature split-stone fireplaces.
In 2012 Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. called it significant. The Kingdom Hall embodies Usonian architecture. It represents the work of a master. It has an asymmetric plan. The building uses local materials like split-stone.
Herbert Fritz was a skilled architect. He studied with Frank Lloyd Wright. He created harmonious environments. The Golden Valley Kingdom Hall is one of his finest religious buildings.