Tabernacle 1949

Description:	Front: Script in upper left reads, Billy Sunday Tabernacle, Winona Lake, Ind.Back: Body of message reads, Dear Friend, Mother and I are enjoying a week here at the Worlds Greatest Bible Conference. We heard Dr. Walter Maier last night. It was wonderful. All of the meeting are wonderful. We are receiving great blessings. You would enjoy being here too. Love from, Bernice Bosmann. Addressed to, Mrs. Skougoard, 8551 S. Wallace, Chicago, Ill. The postcard writer says that they heard Dr. Walter Maier speak. Maier was the speaker on the Lutheran Hour radio broadcast from 1930-1950. He was known for his scholarship, for his writings and his speaking ability.The Billy Sunday Tabernacle was the largest venue in Winona Lake. Most estimates say that it could accommodate 7,500 people. The Tabernacle was built on the site of the former tennis courts. J. Earl Henry of the Louisville, Kentucky architectural firm of Nevin and Henry designed the structure. The estimated construction cost was $70,000. When the fund raising stalled Billy Sunday raised money at his campaign stops specifically asking for money for “the work at Winona”. The site was excavated to provide a natural slope towards the east. The building has steel supporting pillars, the side walls were made from rectangular clay tiles and had horizontal door like structures that could be propped open for ventilation. The asphalt shingled roof featured large louvers that had to be opened manually and propped open. The floor was covered with sawdust and the benches were made from unpainted local lumber. When it rained hard the inside noise was deafening. The large platform could accommodate a large choir. Billy Sunday spoke at the first service on August 7, 1920. WMBI, the Moody Bible Institute Radio station had a broadcast booth on the north side of the platform and broadcast live services to Chicago. The Chautauqua acts and the Bible Conference speakers would read like a who’s who and require a book to list and describe. The building was demolished in 1992.
Origin:	1949-08-05
Created By:	E. C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15705coll8/id/768
Collection:	Grace College - Winona Lake Postcards
Copyright:	Contact Morgan Library, Winona Lake, IN for copy and usage permissions
Geography:	Winona Lake (Ind.)
Subjects:	Tabernacle

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