- Auditorium (Community of Christ)
Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Community of Christ Auditorium
nickname = The Auditorium
fullname =
location = 1001 W. Walnut,Independence, Missouri
coordinates = coord|39.090434|-94.42547|format=dms
broke_ground =1926
built =
opened = 1958
renovated =
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner =Community of Christ
operator =
surface =
construction_cost =
architect =
structural engineer =
services engineer =
general_contractor =
project_manager =
main_contractors =
former_names = RLDS Auditorium
tenants =Community of Christ
seating_capacity = 6,000
dimensions =ft to m|214x ft to m|168; ft to m|92 floor to roof (conference center); ft to m|114 to top of domeThe Auditorium (formerly the RLDS Auditorium) is a house of worship and office building located on the greaterTemple Lot inIndependence, Missouri . The Auditorium is part of the headquarters complex of theCommunity of Christ which also includes theIndependence Temple .Construction of the Auditorium was a massive undertaking, illustrating the vision of church Prophet/President Frederick M. Smith who provided the building's inspiration. Groundbreaking began in 1926 and the building was only completed in 1958. The Conference Chamber was originally supposed to be about 66% larger than it is today according to the vision of Frederick M. Smith. Construction was virtually halted during the
Great Depression when the church struggled under a massive debt.World Conferences of the church are traditionally held here every two years in the World Conference Chamber, a large hall which seats nearly 6,000. The Conference Chamber is 214' x 168' and it is 92' from the floor to the height of the dome's interior. The exterior of the dome is 114' above street level. Originally, the Auditorium was supposed to have two balconies but was restricted to one balcony to financial limitations. In retrospect, two balconies would have caused acoustical damage to the Auditorium.
The Auditorium houses an
Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ with 113 ranks and 6,334 pipes. It includes anantiphonal console and pipes in the rear balcony of the oval chamber. It is listed in the top 75 largest pipe organs in the world at [http://www.theatreorgans.com/laird/top.pipe.organs.html TheatreOrgans.com] . The Auditorium also houses theChildren's Peace Pavilion .The Auditorium is the site of an annual performance and broadcast of Handel's Messiah by the
Kansas City Symphony and theIndependence Messiah Choir . TheCommunity of Christ International Peace Award has been awarded to several recipients in ceremonies at the Auditorium as well.In addition to its use by the church, the Auditorium is made available for high school graduations and cultural events in the Independence and
Kansas City, Missouri area. Numerous dignitaries have spoken in the Auditorium — from Independence native,Harry S. Truman who spoke during his presidency, to the former Secretary of State,Colin Powell . Animal rights activist Jane Goodall spoke there in spring 1999 or 2000. Most recently, former United States PresidentBill Clinton gave the keynote address at the Auditorium commemorating the 50th anniversary of theTruman Presidential Library .The building street address is:1001 W. Walnut, Independence, MO 64050 USA
References
*Roger Yarrington, "The Auditorium: World Headquarters Building of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", Herald House, 1962.
External links
* [http://www.cofchrist.org/worship/organ.asp Auditorium pipe organ]
* [http://www.kidpeace.org Children's Peace Pavilion]
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