Suitable land was found in the town of Holbæk, less than 45 miles [72 km] west of Copenhagen. It was about 14 acres [6 ha] of hilly terrain, with a beautiful view of Holbæk Fjord. Plans were drawn, and applications were filed. But when a friendly official at the surveyor’s office learned that this complex, with a floor space of some 150,000 square feet [14,000 sq m], was to be built by the Witnesses themselves, he strongly suggested that this not be attempted.

“But nothing is impossible for Jehovah,” comments Filip Hoffmann, coordinator of the project. “The construction family set out, numbering 200 on an average, and they had good support from volunteers during weekends. Not even the coldest winter of the century, with temperatures of 14 to minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit [-10° to -20° C.] for weeks, could stop them. After only a hundred weeks, the buildings were ready for dedication on May 21, 1983.”

The Family Moves Into Its New Home

The Bethel family moved into the new home in August 1982. One couple who did not move with them were Richard and Julia Abrahamson. For years Brother Abrahamson had taken the lead in the work in Denmark and been an inspiration to many; both he and his wife had won a place in the hearts of the Danish Witnesses. However, in late 1980, they were assigned to the Society’s world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. So the Danish Bethel family said a sad good-bye to them in early January 1981.

The office of coordinator of the Branch Committee was assigned to Jørgen Larsen, whose experience in the full-time ministry goes back to 1951 and includes training at Gilead twice, graduating in 1959 and 1965. Together with his wife, Anna, he had spent a number of years as a traveling overseer and then served at Bethel in the Service Department and in the Translation Department.

Dedication of Branch Complex

A couple of days before the dedication, outside suppliers and government officials were invited to a special reception. During a tour of the buildings, they commended the brothers for the choice of materials, the fine craftsmanship, and the finish​—a standard they had known from their young days but never saw anymore. When the well-meaning official from the surveyor’s office was reminded of his initial apprehension, he smiled and said: “You see, at that time I didn’t know the kind of organization you people have.”

The 700 brothers and sisters invited to the dedication not only admired the attractive buildings but were impressed by the sheer size of the complex. As Christian Rømer said: “I am overwhelmed to see these buildings when I think of all the effort they represent.” All agreed with Daniel Sydlik of the Governing Body when he pointed out in his dedication discourse that sacrifices to Jehovah cost us something. This building project had cost both money and effort, but these sacrifices were given with happiness because they help advance Jehovah’s work.

Spiritual Needs Filled

The new branch complex had enough space to fulfill a long-standing desire for more translators so that new projects could be launched. The Danish Watchtower and Awake! were increased in number of pages from 24 to 32; the Yearbook began to be published in Danish; and translation of Aid to Bible Understanding was initiated.

Two publications have made history in Denmark. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, released in April 1985, and the Comprehensive Concordance, issued in 1988 and compiled with the help of computer equipment. This was the first time a group outside the Danish national church had issued a translation of the whole Bible and the first time ever that such a comprehensive Bible concordance had been printed in Danish.

In the meantime the extra space in the new facility has made it possible to work on the extensive Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985. This valuable tool for Bible students was released at the conventions in 1991. At these conventions another first was seen​—a new book was issued simultaneously in the three languages used under the oversight of the Denmark branch. The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived was released in Danish, Faeroese, and Greenlandic.

The installation of a new sound studio allows for the recording of good-quality sound tapes. All of the Christian Greek Scriptures and about half of the Hebrew Scriptures have been recorded so far; and for the benefit of those with weak eyesight or reading difficulties, articles from The Watchtower are recorded and mailed to 350 subscribers twice a month.

Another step forward was the switch to computerized phototypesetting and modern offset printing. Arne S. Nielsen, factory overseer, comments: “This was both a challenge and a blessing. It meant that practically all equipment in the printery had to be changed and that everyone had to learn the use of new equipment and to follow new work procedures.” A sheetfed rotary press is kept humming, printing magazines in Danish, Icelandic, and Greenlandic. And when the Danish magazines began to be printed in four colors, another printing press was added on the factory floor.

[Picture on page 133]

New branch office in Holbæk.