Memories of the "old" auditorium

[RAIDER]

The new auditorium at FBCH is a beautiful building.  I remember the first time I walked in the door.  It was a Wednesday evening of the first Pastor's School in the new building.  The place was packed.  Everything was done first class.  It was impressive.

I also took a few minutes to walk over to the old auditorium.  I thought back to the first time I entered this auditorium.  It was the mid '70s.  I was a high school kid from a church with an auditorium that seated 250.  Needless to say, the FBCH auditorium was overwhelming.

On this evening after being in the new auditorium, the old auditorium looked smaller than it had before.  I walked up the stairs past the mezzanine and found the seat where I use to sit.  I have to admit, I became a bit sentimential.  As I looked around the auditorium I remembered the crowds.  I could almost hear the organ and piano loudly playing.  I could picture the packed choir, the staff men sitting on the platform, and Dr. Hyles standing behind the pulpit.  Many memories flooded my mind on that evening.

I thought it might be fun to have a thread where we could relive some memories of events that took place in that auditorium.  Maybe you remember a sermon that made a difference in your life.  Maybe you made a life changing decision at that altar.  Perhaps there is a Youth Conference, Ladies Spectacular, or Pastor's School story.  Possibly you have a funny or serious memory.  Let's remember the "old" auditorium downtown!

 

[Smellin Coffee]

My greatest memory of the auditorium itself was when we came into church one day and the balcony extension had been started even before the church had voted on it!

Of course the story was that only a quote was given and permission to build was not granted, but we all really knew better.

 

[RAIDER]

I stubbed my toe on a "K" beam once.

I hate it when that happens!

 

[RAIDER]

My greatest memory of the auditorium itself was when we came into church one day and the balcony extension had been started even before the church had voted on it!

Of course the story was that only a quote was given and permission to build was not granted, but we all really knew better.

I had forgotten about that story. 

 

[Least of These]

I remember how strange it was to have the PA Room in the middle of the auditorium when in the old "old" auditorium, it was in the far corner. 

 

[kaba]

My parents came to visit one time and sat on DR Hyles left. I believe Dr. Hyles made a comment about the color of my dad's tie--it was bright yellow!  Sunday nights I always sat with the bus kids-Dr Hyles far left. Always hard to find a seat.  I liked that auditorium .

 

[Fresh Air]

That auditorium (the JH memorial one) had the tremendous capacity of making you feel like you were in close proximity to the preacher even though it was really, really big. That's b/c the pews were so close to the pulpit, and b/c the platform was relatively small, b/c the lights are similar on people and platform, and b/c the balcony wasn't real high, and came out pretty far. For a big auditorium, it didn't lose the sense of connection/intimacy.

To me, that is one of two worst aspects of the new auditorium. You feel so disconnected, remote, and far away. It is much more like you are watching a show/production than pulling up a seat at the table.

 

[RAIDER]

To me, that is one of two worst aspects of the new auditorium. You feel so disconnected, remote, and far away. It is much more like you are watching a show/production than pulling up a seat at the table.

Two points:

1) In the new auditorium I found myself watching the big screen instead of the preacher.  It does give you more of a "production" feel.

2) With Schaap you were. 

 

[Bishop Billy]

I proposed to my now wife in that balcony on a Wed. night while we were passing notes. 1976? My mother in law sat beside Mrs. Hyles in the choir. They were good friends and had the opportunity to have lunch with Mrs. Hyles once at my MIL home. Here is the kicker...I had just met my wife in passing a few weeks before in the foyer and 10 minutes after sitting with me during Wed. Night Service for the first time...(she invited herself and her girlfriend), I asked her to marry me. 35 years and still married. Fond memories of the old sanctuary,

 

[RAIDER]

I proposed to my now wife in that balcony on a Wed. night while we were passing notes. 1976? My mother in law sat beside Mrs. Hyles in the choir. They were good friends and had the opportunity to have lunch with Mrs. Hyles once at my MIL home. Here is the kicker...I had just met my wife in passing a few weeks before in the foyer and 10 minutes after sitting with me during Wed. Night Service for the first time...(she invited herself and her girlfriend), I asked her to marry me. 35 years and still married. Fond memories of the old sanctuary,

You might be a Hacker if.....    That is a great story!!

 

[BALAAM]

The new auditorium at FBCH is a beautiful building.  I remember the first time I walked in the door.  It was a Wednesday evening of the first Pastor's School in the new building.  The place was packed.  Everything was done first class.  It was impressive.

I also took a few minutes to walk over to the old auditorium.  I thought back to the first time I entered this auditorium.  It was the mid '70s.  I was a high school kid from a church with an auditorium that seated 250.  Needless to say, the FBCH auditorium was overwhelming.

On this evening after being in the new auditorium, the old auditorium looked smaller than it had before.  I walked up the stairs past the mezzanine and found the seat where I use to sit.  I have to admit, I became a bit sentimential.  As I looked around the auditorium I remembered the crowds.  I could almost hear the organ and piano loudly playing.  I could picture the packed choir, the staff men sitting on the platform, and Dr. Hyles standing behind the pulpit.  Many memories flooded my mind on that evening.

I thought it might be fun to have a thread where we could relive some memories of events that took place in that auditorium.  Maybe you remember a sermon that made a difference in your life.  Maybe you made a life changing decision at that altar.  Perhaps there is a Youth Conference, Ladies Spectacular, or Pastor's School story.  Possibly you have a funny or serious memory.  Let's remember the "old" auditorium downtown!

After being in the new auditorium for 5 years I went a couple weeks ago to a funeral in the old one. Radar, if you think it seemed small after just visiting the new one you should just go back after 5 years! I was like, man! This thing is tiny!

 

[Sherryh]

I proposed to my now wife in that balcony on a Wed. night while we were passing notes. 1976? My mother in law sat beside Mrs. Hyles in the choir. They were good friends and had the opportunity to have lunch with Mrs. Hyles once at my MIL home. Here is the kicker...I had just met my wife in passing a few weeks before in the foyer and 10 minutes after sitting with me during Wed. Night Service for the first time...(she invited herself and her girlfriend), I asked her to marry me. 35 years and still married. Fond memories of the old sanctuary,

Do we know you? I was there in 1976 and I've been married 35 years Good job!!

 

[Bishop Billy]

I proposed to my now wife in that balcony on a Wed. night while we were passing notes. 1976? My mother in law sat beside Mrs. Hyles in the choir. They were good friends and had the opportunity to have lunch with Mrs. Hyles once at my MIL home. Here is the kicker...I had just met my wife in passing a few weeks before in the foyer and 10 minutes after sitting with me during Wed. Night Service for the first time...(she invited herself and her girlfriend), I asked her to marry me. 35 years and still married. Fond memories of the old sanctuary,

Do we know you? I was there in 1976 and I've been married 35 years Good job!!

I doubt anyone would remember me but maybe my wife that grew up in the schools, Pamela Van Gorp. My folks went to Bob Gray's church in Bourbonnias, IL.

 

[patriotic]

The first time I was in the old gold auditorium was Spectacular 1975 when I was not quite 13 years old. 
The way Mrs. Colsten herded us out like kindergarten-aged cattle to obtain boxed lunches and sit on the floor in the Ed Bldg to eat really made me wonder if the place was nuts.  Too tired and often bored to really appreciate the size of the place and definitely was not a fan of the autumn gold color. 

Went back 3 years later to YC. "The Hammond Family" was the featured skit complete with the Addams' Family theme song.  That fall I returned to Spectacular.  Mrs. Colsten treated us the same way as we went to get our boxed lunches.......  Enjoyed both YC and that Spect a little more.  I guess I matured, but still wasn't a fan of the autumn gold. 

As a college student, I do remember that one could always seem to locate anyone else in the old auditorium.  There was somewhat of a small church intimacy that remained there.  Granted, my eyes were not middle-aged back then, but you could see people who were across the auditorium and upstairs or down.  My man - before we even started dating - says he "watched" me for several weeks across the auditorium before and during church services. (I was student teaching during these weeks so he didn't see me around campus much.)

I returned for several YCs, Specs, and PSs over the years.  Still, you could stand just about anywhere and be located by someone or spot someone for whom you were looking. 

Sat in the section of the mezzanine one Spec. that was directly behind piano against the wall.  A whole chunk of the pew cushion had been jaggedly ripped out and removed.  It was then I realized RAIDER had been there (yes, likely for a Christian WOMANhood Spectacular!)  I think that cushion might be in his shopping cart now. 

 

[Still There]

Billy Bishop - tell your wife Pam hello.  I'll pm you.  I remember the family very well.

 

[tobytyler]

My mother in law sat beside Mrs. Hyles in the choir. They were good friends and had the opportunity to have lunch with Mrs. Hyles once at my MIL home.
[/quote]

I knew that your mother in law and BH were good friends, cause on Wed evenings when there was no adult choir, Mrs. Hyles and Mrs. Van Gorp would sit together in the congregation.  In 25 years, I've only seen BH sit with Mrs Van Gorp and Mrs. Iva Mae Smith.
[/quote]

 

[RAIDER]

I doubt anyone would remember me but maybe my wife that grew up in the schools, Pamela Van Gorp. My folks went to Bob Gray's church in Bourbonnias, IL.

Do you know Owen Ivey?  He also attended Gray's church in Bourbonnias.

 

[RAIDER]

Sat in the section of the mezzanine one Spec. that was directly behind piano against the wall.  A whole chunk of the pew cushion had been jaggedly ripped out and removed.  It was then I realized RAIDER had been there (yes, likely for a Christian WOMANhood Spectacular!)  I think that cushion might be in his shopping cart now.

The seat I sat in had drool stains on the back.

 

[16KJV11]

The old auditorium had the feeling of anticipation...something exciting was going to happen.
Every service felt like revival was in the air.

 

[RAIDER]

The old auditorium had the feeling of anticipation...something exciting was going to happen.
Every service felt like revival was in the air.

Exactly!