At the close of the summer camp meeting, on the 27th of August, 1922, the new headquarters building at Six Avenue and Burnside Street was dedicated. The large auditorium with a seating capacity of 1000 appeared massive compared with our former places of worship. At the opening service 200 extra chairs had to be brought in to take care of the overflow crowd.
We all appreciated the modern accommodations. The hanging chandeliers gave adequate light throughout the auditorium; and the heating and ventilating system provided comfort for the congregation.
An orchestra composed of thirty pieces played sacred numbers, and special singing groups contributed praises to God. Gratitude welled up in our hearts as prayer was offered expressing our thankfulness to God for His goodness. The congregation heartily joined in singing the grand old hymns of praise.
Mother preached the dedicatory sermon, reading a portion of the 66th Psalm: 1,2,5,10,12.
“Make a joyful noise unto God,…
“Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious”.
“Come and see the works of God:…”
“For thou, O God hast proved us: thou hast tried us,…
“Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.”
Mother spoke of the time she came to Portland, on Christmas Day, 1906; and shortly afterwards established the Apostolic Faith headquarters in a little, old dingy blacksmith shop, which had been renovated and altered to make it usable for a place of worship. In those days, because of the severe persecution, the windows in the little “church” were broken out and had to be boarded up. Accommodations were few and crude; but the Spirit of God blessed His people then and has been blessing them ever since.
Mother admonished the Christians to present themselves as empty vessels before God that He might fill them with His Spirit, His Truth, and His Power. She then closed with an earnest plea, saying: “Today as we dedicate this building, how many will dedicate their lives to the Lord and say: ‘God, I pledge my life anew to Thee in humble service to Thy cause’?” Hundreds of hands were raised; and in response to an altar call to prayer, scores pressed their way to the front – and there, awaiting them, were the same tear-stained altars used at the Front and Burnside church, now freshly cleaned and polished. Many more who could not find kneeling room around the altars knelt at their chairs and consecrated their lives afresh to God.