Perhaps the most welcoming door in the city stands before you. This is the Salão do Reino das Testemunhas do Reino de Jeová. These halls serve as the heart of local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The name “Salão do Reino” or “Kingdom Hall” was adopted in 1935. Joseph Franklin Rutherford suggested the name.
Kingdom Halls provide a place for congregations to meet. Currently over 119000 congregations exist worldwide. This number was recorded in 2019. These buildings are properties of the local religious organizations.
Initially congregations met in residences. As congregations grew they rented spaces. Rising costs and lack of suitable locations made buying and renovating buildings necessary. Some congregations built meeting places before World War II. Large-scale construction of Kingdom Halls began in the 1950s.
Joseph Rutherford suggested the name Kingdom Hall in 1935. He arranged for a hall to be built next to the Watch Tower Society branch in Honolulu. When asked what to name it Rutherford said: “Shouldn’t we call it ‘Kingdom Hall’ since that’s what we do? We preach the good news of the Kingdom.”
Today tens of thousands of Kingdom Halls exist. Some halls serve a single congregation. Others accommodate up to five different congregations.
Kingdom Halls are designed for Bible study and Christian association. Here people listen to discourses. These lectures aim to build faith in the Bible. Attendees may participate in programs.
The main area is a small auditorium. It typically seats 50 to 300 people. A raised platform stands at the front. A speaker’s stand is placed on this platform. Demonstrations about conducting Bible studies are performed here. A scripture is displayed. This scripture changes annually in all Kingdom Halls worldwide.
Seating may consist of fixed or folding chairs. These can be made of wood plastic or similar materials like those found in theaters. The hall is well-lit similar to a classroom. It features sound systems. There is no altar or idols.
Many Kingdom Halls have a small library. There is a coatroom and a literature counter. Bible publications are available for free. Restrooms are provided. Where possible there are storage areas for literature and other items.
Kingdom Halls vary greatly in construction style and decoration. They may be built of brick stone wood or other materials. The choice depends on local costs. They may have one or two floors with or without basements. Interior and exterior decorations vary.
All weekly meetings are public. These Bible study meetings use publications. These publications are edited by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The meetings include: Treasures from God’s Word Make Your Best in the Ministry Our Christian Life. Weekend meetings include a public talk and a study of The Watchtower magazine.
Each congregation meets twice a week. Midweek meetings last one hour and forty-five minutes. Weekend meetings also last one hour and forty-five minutes. The Kingdom Hall serves as a center for organizing evangelizing activity.
Annually the hall hosts the most important meeting. This meeting is the Memorial of Christ’s death. Kingdom Halls may also be used for weddings and funerals. They are often used for literacy classes. They are also used for foreign language classes sign language classes and other schools. These schools relate to public evangelization.
Each Kingdom Hall has contribution boxes. These contributions support local maintenance. They also support the Witnesses’ worldwide work. The contributions fund new Kingdom Hall construction. Donations are voluntary. There are no collections or tithing. The atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable. Above all it is functional.
In Brazil according to the 2010 census there were 1392208 Jehovah’s Witnesses. They were distributed in 11911 congregations. Brazil has one of the largest numbers of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 2016 32978 baptisms took place in the country. 1799512 people attended the Memorial of Christ’s Death. Witnesses conducted 916992 Bible studies in Brazil. They dedicated 182262093 hours to preaching.
Now you know a little more about Salão do Reino das Testemunhas do Reino de Jeová. It is a place of worship learning and community.