Some visitors are even more surprised to learn that the factory and office workers live right on the premises. They are housed comfortably in adjoining buildings that are called the Bethel home. Although this home can accommodate over 350 persons, there are now about 200 members of the Bethel family. So there is plenty of room for further expansion.

It was in January 1979 that work began on the new branch buildings. Eighteen acres (7 ha) of property had been purchased in Ebina, Japan, for these entirely new facilities. The construction has now been completed, and the new printing factory, offices, Kingdom Hall, Bethel home, Bethel annex, garage and carpenter shop are three times the size of the facilities at Numazu!

[Diagrams on page 17]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Ebina dedicated May 15, 1982

Branch buildings and the 18-acre property on which they are located

Bethel home

[Diagram]

Comparison of Japanese branch buildings and land areas

Numazu 1972-1981

Tokyo 1963-1972

Tokyo 1949-1962

[Picture on page 16, 17]

A view of new branch facilities in Ebina. The large buildings above are the Bethel home and offices, with part of the factory to the right

[Picture on page 18]

Rear view of Bethel home