Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

171 at Sixth and Hope Street, the home of Biola for many years. The details of these events are related in Chapter IV. As it was with Israel's journey froo Egypt to Caanan, the critics were . numerous and vocal, ranging from the statement that the location was on the fringe of the City and inconvenient for public transportation to the criticism that the proposed buildings were too large and too expensive. The teaching of the eminent return of Christ was prominent then as it is now in fundamental circles, and many opposed investing so much of the Lord's mon- ey in buildings that would be left behind at the Rapture of the Church. Time proved the Board's decision to locate the School on Sixth Street, however, the delay caused by this change in plans created a problem of find- ing adequate housing to accommodate the increased enrollment. To meet this need, the Board tried to acquire the use of the Normal School buildings next door to their Sixth Street property in which to hold classes until their new buildings were completed, however this was not possible. Fortunately, in 1912, arrangements were m'ade on a temporary basis to use the Temple Auditorium at Fifth and Olive Streets, in Los Angeles. Later, classes were held in the First Lutheran Church at Eighth and Flower Street, until the buildings on the Hope Street property were completed. In 1915, Biola moved into its new facilities on Hope Street, which were quite adequate: two thirteen story buildings with a total of 683 rooms, providing space for the students, the offices, the faculty and staff, the Fishermen and Lyceum Clubs, and the large auditorium sufficient to house the Church of the Open Door which was organized and operated by the School. For the next eighteen years, from 1915 to 1933, all was well; then came the great Depression. In 1933 Biola was forced to lease the north dormitory for a hotel, forcing the School to house all the students in one dormitory. The extra income from this lease helped Biola survive the De- pression, the details of which are related in Chapter VII.

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