Auditorium (Community of Christ) facts for kids
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The Auditorium
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| Former names | RLDS Auditorium |
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| Location | 1001 W. Walnut, Independence, Missouri |
| Owner | Community of Christ |
| Capacity | 6,000 |
| Field size | 214 feet (65 m)x 168 feet (51 m); 92 feet (28 m) floor to roof (conference center); 114 feet (35 m) to top of dome |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1926 |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Tenants | |
| Community of Christ | |
The Auditorium is a special building in Independence, Missouri. It serves as a place of worship and also holds offices for the Community of Christ church. This large building is part of the church's main headquarters, which also includes the Independence Temple.
Contents
Building the Auditorium
Building the Auditorium was a huge project! It showed the big ideas of the church's leader, Frederick Madison Smith. He was the one who first imagined this amazing building.
- Work on the Auditorium started way back in 1926.
- It took a long time to finish, finally opening its doors in 1958.
- Building slowed down a lot during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people had financial difficulties, and the church also faced money problems.
The Amazing Pipe Organ
The Auditorium is home to a very special musical instrument: a huge pipe organ. This organ was built by a company called Aeolian-Skinner.
- It has 113 different sets of pipes, called "ranks."
- In total, there are 6,334 pipes!
- This makes it one of the 75 largest pipe organs in the entire world.
- A famous organist named John Obetz used to play this organ. He had a weekly radio show from 1968 to 1993, sharing its beautiful music with people across the country.
What Happens at the Auditorium?
The Auditorium is a busy place! Many different events happen here, from church gatherings to concerts and speeches.
Church World Conferences
The World Conferences for the Community of Christ church are held here every three years.
- The main meeting room, called the Conference chamber, can seat 5,800 people.
- This room is very large, measuring about 214 feet (65 meters) long and 168 feet (51 meters) wide.
- The ceiling of the dome inside the room is 92 feet (28 meters) high.
- From the outside, the top of the dome reaches 114 feet (35 meters) above the street!
Music and Awards
The Auditorium is also a popular spot for musical performances.
- Every year, the Kansas City Symphony and the Independence Messiah Choir perform Handel's Messiah here.
- The Community of Christ International Peace Award is also given out during special ceremonies at the Auditorium.
Other Important Events
Besides church events, the Auditorium is used for many other community gatherings.
- High schools and colleges often hold their graduation ceremonies here.
- It's also a place for cultural events in the Independence and Kansas City areas.
- Many important people have given speeches at the Auditorium over the years.
- On June 27, 1945, President Harry S. Truman, who was from Independence, gave a speech here. He announced that the United States had joined the United Nations.
- In 1998, former Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke at the Auditorium. He talked about the 50th anniversary of the order that helped end segregation in the U.S. military.
- The famous primate researcher and environmentalist Jane Goodall also spoke here in 1999.
- On July 5, 2007, former President Bill Clinton gave a speech. He was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Truman Presidential Library.
