Harfensall (Harp Hall)

In 2019 the writer was an international delegate to Germany for a convention at the Olympic stadium. One of the tours arranged was to visit the original German Bethel at Magdeburg. Shut down by the Nazis and then shut down again by the East German authorities, the building (or at least part of it) still belongs to the Watchtower Society today. In 2019 part was still used as a Kingdom Hall and a large basement area was used to feed the many visitors.

It had a small museum, mainly rare books in the German language. However, on a wall there was also the photograph reproduced above.

There was no caption, and I neglected to ask my hosts what it was. However, it was of a large group assembled together, nearly all men, and they are surrounding a well-known picture of Jesus, as well as a picture of the Watch Tower Society president, Joseph F Rutherford.

The picture of Jesus was very large as shown by this close up.

Rutherford was not there in person for the photograph, which, from its background, would have to relate to Germany.

Subequent research provided the background, and I am grateful to Bernhard for most the information that follows.

The photograph was taken in what was called the “Harfensall” (Harp Hall) which was the meeting hall for the Bethel family working at Magdeburg. Today it would be called the Kingdom Hall. Because the group was the Bethel family, most in the picture are men. The original was reportedly a panoramic view measuring 9.25 inches high, and six feet and one inch in length.

The photograph was probably taken in 1931, a little later than one might expect. Or, if it dated from a little earlier, it provoked a very negative response in 1931. In that year a new dining hall was built at the Magdeburg headquarters and JFR was expected to officially open it and other new facilities before attending a convention in Berlin. So the Bethel family had all posed for their photograph with the pictures of Jesus Christ and JRF to greet him. This is likely why the signboard caption “Joined in Faithfulness” is in English rather than German. However, the days of photographs of the Society’s president – a practice that started with CTR – were now over. JFR reportedly stopped the circulation of photo cards at the 1931 Berlin convention, and also objected to the above photograph being hung on the dining room wall. It therefore disappeared, although not for good as we can see it reproduced today.

The photograph has a poignant quality. Within a couple of years after the incident, the property was seized by the Nazis and the Bible Students were banned. Many pictured in the photograph would be arrested, and some would ultimately lose their lives for their faith.