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RADIO CHURCH OF GOD
Box 111
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
August 17, 1956
Dear Brethren of GOD'S Church:
A serious emergency has arisen in respect to the coming Feast
of Tabernacles, September 19 thru 27th.
Brother Roy Hammer called me on the long distance telephone
about it the other day and I was forced to make a quick and
decisive decision.
1st) We have entirely outgrown the rest-room facilities
serving those who camp in tents or trailer-houses on the grounds.
Our plans called originally for TWO rest-room units, one building
for women and one for men. It was a rush job at the time, and both
time and money prevented us from erecting more than the one. As a
compromise measure, we partitioned that one in the middle. Now we
are FORCED to build the other rest-room building and have it
completed before September 19th. This involves a great deal of
plumbing and the purchase of fixtures, and will cost a few thousand
dollars.
2nd) We were jammed even past seating capacity last year, and
all reports indicate a 30% to 50% increase in attendance this year.
We face the necessity of providing seats for an additional 600 or
more people. We cannot enlarge the present auditorium. We had
planned to ship the tent we have at our grounds near Lyons,
Colorado, pitch it near the Tabernacle, wire it with loud-speakers,
and let the overflow HEAR, but not see, the proceedings. But we
find it would cost as much to ship the tent to Gladewater and back
as the tent cost in the first place, and due to the possibility of
a sudden violent storm or tornado in Texas, it has been decided
inadvisable to ship the tent to Gladewater. This left only one
alternative: I was forced to make the decision to build the large
lounge-room on the front of the Tabernacle that had never yet been
built. This we will have to do without the stone-masonry, leaving
that until later, but putting up all the wood construction now.
The overflow crowd will have to sit in this lounge room, which will
seat more people than the Colorado tent. They will be unable to
see the speakers' platform, but will be able to hear thru loud-
speakers. This room will cost some $15,000 to $20,000.
This was an emergency decision. I had no choice. It HAD TO
BE DONE.
I have authorized, and started this work. A crew of men are
now hard at work putting in this additional construction. We hope
to have it ready by September 19th. BUT, it MUST be paid for, AS
WE GO, and not after it is done! I was forced to send over a check
for $3,000 last night, and I have had to guarantee the contractor
a check for $5,000 each week between now and the time of the
Festival, or until paid for.