Kingdom Hall
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Kingdom Hall is the name of meeting places for Jehovah's Witnesses. The term was first suggested in 1935 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, for a building in Honolulu, Hawaii. Jehovah's Witnesses use Kingdom Halls for the majority of their worship and Bible instruction.
Uses
Typically three days a week (or more, depending upon how many congregations use the same building), a congregation will meet in their Kingdom Hall. Meetings usually open and close with song and prayer. Gatherings held in the Kingdom Hall include Bible readings, public talks on matters such as the Bible, family life, Christian qualities and prophecy, as well as discussion of specially-prepared study articles in The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses. Furthermore, Witnesses meet in Kingdom Halls for preparation and prayer before engaging in their door-to-door ministry.
Maintenance and Construction
The Kingdom Hall is largely maintained by the members of the congregations that use it. Construction, larger repair and maintenance projects are coordinated by the Regional Building Committee (RBC). Some Kingdom Halls have been built in as little as three days and then used immediately on the fourth day. The construction crews of these Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls consist of volunteer fellow Jehovah's Witnesses, sometimes from other countries than where the building under construction resides, who have been pre-approved for work on the buildings, grounds and sites.
The cost of maintenance is covered by unsolicited donations made by those attending the meetings and other donations sent to the world wide headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. Witnesses in Western countries also contribute towards the construction of meeting places for fellow believers in less prosperous parts of the world.
Modern Kingdom Halls are built without windows to save money.
Location and Presentation
Kingdom Halls vary in size and design. They are usually modest, functional structures, clean and attractive, but essentially practical. As Witnesses do not use religious symbols, such are not displayed on or in Kingdom Halls. An annual Yeartext, or "theme scripture", which is the same for all congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide is prominently displayed in each Kingdom Hall.ja:王国会館 ru:Зал Царства