Mobil Class Rooms
We became interested last month in newspaper reports of picketing being done by Negroes in the Chicago area. The story of such demonstrations has become so commonplace of late that that item alone is hardly newsworthy. But the thing that caught our eye was the reference to "mobil class rooms." Just what are they? and what purpose do they serve? and is there any possibility here that might interest a new, or rapidly growing congregation pressed for adequate class-room space?
We took our enquiries to a man in the business, and who happens also to be a faithful member of the Lord's church — brother Wallace J. Conner, President of The Conner Corporation of Newport, North Carolina. From him we gathered information which we believe will be of great interest to hundreds of new congregations, or congregations facing the need for expansion of class-room facilities. In this day of rapid population increase (and for the next fifty years at least) the problem of finding adequate building sites, and of erecting suitable structures is going to grow increasingly acute and difficult. We believe it inevitable that the time will come when the Lord's people are going to find it necessary to have multiple services in practically all church facilities (much as the Catholics have done for many years). The population is increasing, but land areas remain stable. The time will come when the cost of good building sites will rise to fantastic heights. This is already the case in crowded urban centers such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, (Seattle and Los Angeles are not quite so bad — yet).
What can be done to meet this situation? And what about the new congregation just getting started, having enough money to purchase the building site, but no funds at all with which to build? We believe the "mobil class rooms" might offer a highly desirable field of investigation. For example, the mobil class rooms being placed on the school grounds in Chicago (and in other cities as well) are produced by the manufacturers of the "mobil homes" which have become such a familiar part of the American scene in recent years, and which are to be found by the thousands in every part of our nation. One of these "mobil class rooms" can be as large as 24 by 60 feet (seating up to 150 people), with built in rest-rooms, blackboards, teacher's desk, and with heat and air-conditioning. One entire side of the structure can be in the form of a picture window, providing for sunlight. This structure (in two movable sections) can be transported to any location, and put in place with all utilities connected and be ready for operation within a few hour's time.
A new congregation, getting started in a location where a building for meetings (such as lodge hall, community centers, etc.) cannot be secured might be able to find a lot, secure one of these mobil structures — and have the meeting-place all ready for operation within a week or so. Variations are unlimited. For example, a small congregation might want to have a small auditorium and a couple of class-rooms on one side of the 60 by 24 structure, and have a nice two-bedroom apartment, with living room, kitchen, and bath on the other side. This might provide living quarters for the preacher and his wife, and even a child or two.
Another feature of this solution to the problem: Once a congregation grows to the size and strength of providing a permanent structure for itself, this mobil unit can be moved across town, or to another town, either nearby, or hundreds of miles away, and within a day's time can be set up and ready for use by a new congregation! There is no financial loss such as is involved in the erection of a temporary structure for either auditorium or class-rooms — a structure which within a few years must be dismantled.
What about the price of a mobil classroom? Well, like the mobil homes, they can be had at almost any price range. But nearly any of them can be bought with a payment of $1,000.00 down, and with very easy terms for the extended future payments. The one we have been talking about here (a small auditorium with a couple of class-rooms on one side, and with living quarters for the preacher on the other side) would probably run in the neighborhood of $8,000.00.
If you are interested in further information about the possibilities of such mobil facilities, we suggest you write to Wallace J. Conner, care of The Conner Corporation, Route 2, Box 404, Newport, North Carolina. He has full information as to what is available, the various features of each unit, cost and financing expenses, and can advise you as to any special features that might be desired. The structures can be tailored to fit almost any need.
— F. Y. T.