Through the nation-wide interest in the Holy Land and the population's religious sense of mission, the German Association of the Holy Land attracted new members within the German Kingdom. As a result, the number of members increased to 30.000. The Association also constructed lavish buildings in Jerusalem, competing with other European nations and denominations doing the same. The impressive Abbey of the Dormition, which is owned by the Association, was built on a patch of land on Mount Zion gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Afterwards, they began constructing a large hospice for the hundreds of pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land.