Another urgent need at that time was for a place where one of the district assemblies could be held​—even if it was out in the open air. After some preliminary clearing of this new piece of land, the first assembly was held on it. The hillside provided a natural amphitheater, and the brothers spread out blankets on the ground for seating. For a number of years this lot served for district and circuit assemblies on the coast.

Finally, late in 1984, work got under way to build a handsome Assembly Hall on this property. It was to have a seating capacity of 3,000. Over 80 acres were available for this construction.

[Picture on page 246]

New open-air Assembly Hall facility and new branch, seen in background