[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREAT AUDITORIUM

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 1994

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, Friday, July 1, 1994, will mark the 100th 
anniversary of the opening of the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ. 
The anniversary will be marked by a major celebration involving the 
entire community of Ocean Grove and numerous visitors from near and 
far. I look forward to being part of the festivities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Great Auditorium is more than a historical monument. 
It is living history, a link with the past that serves as the focal 
point of the community to this day. The rafters of this great hall have 
echoed with the stirring voices of great American statesmen and 
orators, including seven U.S. Presidents, as well as some of the 
leading religious leaders of the 20th century and a diverse group of 
musical artists. During a 1970 visit to Ocean Grove, President Richard 
M. Nixon called the Auditorium a historic hall with significant 
memories in the history of our country. The Auditorium has been the 
meeting place for numerous community functions and civic events. And, 
of course, the Auditorium has been the scene of regular Sunday 
services.
  The building was dedicated on July 1, 1894. But to trace the history 
of its construction, we should go back in time another 25 years to the 
founding of the unique and nationally known community of Ocean Grove. 
In the summer of 1869, according to the official history compiled by 
the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, ten families gathered for 
rest and religious fellowship on the land that is now known as Founders 
Park. Dr. William B. Osborn had traveled the entire length of the 
Jersey Shore, from Sandy Hook to Cape May, in search of a suitable 
location for camp meetings. He chose a square mile of oceanfront 
property with a high beach and a beautiful grove of trees which was 
free of mosquitoes and named it Ocean Grove. In December of that year, 
an organization consisting of 13 laymen was formed under the name ``the 
Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.''
  Over the years, as times have changed, the community of Ocean Grove 
has strived to maintain its traditions. Today, the community is 
designated as a national historic site. Many people still come to Ocean 
Grove for spiritual reasons. Others come here to enjoy the beautiful 
beach and to bask in the charm of the stately Victorian homes and 
oceanfront hotels that make this community so unique.
  The first ``Preacher's Stand,'' built in 1870, was an octagon capable 
of seating 75 ministers and surmounted by a cupola in which was a small 
bell, according to ``A Brief History of Ocean Grove.'' On the site of 
the original open-air sanctuary a frame structure was constructed, 
covered with tree boughs, which created an inspiring effect in dry 
weather but caused numerous problems when it rained. Finally, in 1876 a 
permanent roof was installed. A new bell tower with a larger bell was 
installed, and this bell has heralded services for 119 years. By 1877, 
this 3,000-seat structure was no longer large enough to accommodate the 
crowds. In 1891, Dr. Stokes, then president of the Camp Meeting 
Association, proposed construction of a new 10,000-seat hall to mark 
Ocean Grove's silver anniversary. Ground was broken in December 1893. 
It took an average of 36 working men only 92 days to complete the Great 
Auditorium, and the dedication ceremony took place on July 1, 1894. The 
full construction cost: $69,112.16.
  There are 262 doors and windows in the hall, which is nearly the size 
of a football field. The seating arrangement was changed to theater 
style, reducing the capacity to 6,500, but improving the comfort for 
the audience. In 1988, a new stainless steel roof was installed at a 
cost of over $850,000, with the support of the State of New Jersey and 
contributions from friends.
  Mr. Speaker, as visitors to the Great Auditorium can attest, this 
landmark is a soaring, monumental, graceful structure. It is amazing to 
imagine what the construction costs of such facility would be today--if 
such a project were even attempted. Through the loving care provided by 
the Camp Meeting Association and the citizens of Ocean Grove, and the 
generosity of both public and private sources, I am confident that the 
next 100 years can be as inspiring as the Great Auditorium's first 
century.

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