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The future site of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall at Scott and Laird streets in Wilkes-Barre. It is expected to open by July 1 and serve four congregations.
CLARK VAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
WILKES-BARRE – Work has begun at the future site of the new Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall.
The facility is being built at the corner of Scott and Laird streets, and Stephen Garrett, project manager, said it could open by July 1.
“We’re very excited about building a new Kingdom Hall,” Garrett said. “We’ve been looking to do this for some time and we expect our membership to increase once the facility is open.”
Garrett said there are four Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations in the area: two shared the former Kingdom Hall on North Street in Wilkes-Barre that is now owned by King’s College and another in Nanticoke has also been sold. A fourth congregation recently formed in the Hispanic community, Garrett said. All four congregations will share the new Kingdom Hall, two at a time for services, Garrett said. There are more than 400 members of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area, he said.
Drew McLaughlin, assistant to Mayor Tom Leighton, said the organization has secured all the necessary permits for construction. Garrett said the site is being prepared and construction of the building is expected to begin in mid May.
Garrett said volunteers from throughout Pennsylvania will come to Wilkes-Barre this summer to build the Kingdom Hall. He said the site also allows for plenty of parking to accommodate members. The Jehovah’s Witnesses first came to the region in the 1950s, Garrett said.
Representatives of the East Wilkes-Barre congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses appeared before the Wilkes-Barre city zoning hearing board more than a year ago to ask for a special approval to permit the establishment of the proposed 400-seat, 10,164-square-foot church. The approval was granted.
The property is located across from the former Carter Rubber building. Because the location is zoned R-1 (residential), approval of a special exception was required. The application stated the church will conform to existing buildings, will have ample parking and will be landscaped to fit in with the surrounding area.
According to the church’s website, Jehovah’s Witnesses base their beliefs “solely on the principles found in the Holy Bible and view first-century Christianity as our model. We believe that in addition to drawing one closer to God, living by Bible principles gives purpose to life, promotes strong family ties, and develops productive and honest citizens.”