• Curaçao
    2002 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • New Branch Offices

      Nathan H. Knorr, who served as a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses until his death in 1977, always showed keen interest in the missionaries and frequently traveled to foreign lands to strengthen the brothers. In 1956, zone overseers also began to visit the brothers around the globe, and these “gifts in men” have been “a strengthening aid,” giving impetus to the work in the ABC islands. (Eph. 4:8; Col. 4:11) In 1950, Brother Knorr paid his first visit to these islands and while in Curaçao arranged for a new branch office, with Russell Yeatts as branch servant. Concerning Brother Knorr’s talk “Liberty to the Captives,” Brother Yeatts wrote: “It was as if he had asked each individual up on the stage and was giving him personal advice.” In 1955, Brother Knorr visited again and spoke in the unfinished Kingdom Hall in Oranjestad, Aruba. He then traveled to Curaçao for an assembly, accompanied by a group of brothers. On his last official visit in 1962, he dedicated the Kingdom Hall in Buena Vista, Curaçao, and encouraged the brothers tremendously by his timely talks. He also approved the building of a new branch office, missionary home, and Kingdom Hall in one, in Oosterbeekstraat, just outside of Willemstad.

      The father of the architect hired to design the building was a Jewish man who had been in a Nazi concentration camp with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He told Hazel Yeatts: “There is only one true religion​—that of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This branch office was dedicated in 1964 and extended in 1978, on the recommendation of Albert D. Schroeder, zone overseer. By 1990, it became evident that bigger facilities were necessary, and efforts were made to find a new location on which to build, all without success.

      During November 1998, a decision was made to buy an existing building and convert it into branch facilities. The brothers decided on an apartment complex conveniently located on the street called Seroe Loraweg, just outside of Willemstad. On December 4, the purchase was made. The speed and ease with which everything took place assured the brothers that Jehovah was blessing the effort, in harmony with Psalm 127:1. The renovated buildings are attractive and comfortable and are serving to bring honor and glory to Jehovah’s name.

      On November 20, 1999, the dedication of the new branch was held in the branch courtyard, and 273 were present. Gerrit Lösch of the Governing Body quoted the prophet Isaiah to show how the new buildings would be used to serve Jehovah’s grand purpose. On the following day, 2,588 attended a special program at the sports stadium, and for many, this was the highlight of the 2000 service year.