# Charity Commission data shows mass merger of over 1,000 Jehovah’s Witness congregations

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/08/24/charity-commission-data-shows-mass-merger-of-over-1000-jehovahs-witness-congregations/
- Published: 2022-08-24T08:30:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Over 1,000 Jehovah’s Witness congregations merged into the Kingdom Hall Trust 
this year, according to Charity Commission merger data.**

One of the biggest charity mergers ever seen, the dates property was transferred
range from 2020 to 2022, with all mergers registered with the Commission on 4 March
this year.

At the same time, records show that Kingdom Hall Trust’s (KHT) income has risen 
significantly. In 2019, it was £6.66mn, jumping to £104.41mn in 2020, before reaching
£133.23mn [for the financial year ending 31 August 2021](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/275946).

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While there has been no public announcement or confirmation of the move, it appears
to have first been mentioned to [Jehovah’s Witness](https://www.jw.org/en/) congregations
in 2019. [JW Watch reported](https://jwwatch.org/news/jehovahs-witness-uk-headquarters-dissolves-kingdom-hall-charities-seizes-full-control-of-property-and-finances)
in 2020 that a letter had gone out to congregation Elders, stating that the Governing
Body had approved merging congregations in Britain into one entity – KHT. The proposal
was for each congregation to dissolve its own charity status and become a branch
of the national charity to simplify organisational operations.

An FAQ sheet and a letter to congregations explained that they were being invited
to merge as part of a staged rollout and that Trustees of KHT would ultimately control
the funds of the congregation with local donations collected by KHT and administered
by KHT as part of its general funds. This, KHT said, could mean that its Trustees
might decide to use a congregation’s donations to support the Kingdom work elsewhere
in its branch territory and throughout the world. Local elders however would be 
able to request funds or payment for invoices when needed.  

The Kingdom Hall Trust dates back to 1939 when it was established as the London 
Company of Kingdom Witnesses, and states its aims as being to advance the Christian
religion as practised by Jehovah’s Witnesses.