Community of Christ Historic Sites

Historic Sites
Updated -- 8 October 2003

Silent voices whisper enticingly of past events. Voices of people with faces from the past. Picture Joseph Jr. and Emma in Kirtland, Joseph III playing in the streets of Nauvoo, F. M. Smith and Israel A. - as youths - racing up the staircase of Liberty Hall, Audentia Smith Anderson gazing out on the old, old path. One hundred and seventy years later, their voices still speak to us; their legacy lives in our hearts; their stories urgently encourage and remind us of that past and call us to a transforming future.

Community of Christ's six historic sites are the "crown jewels of church identity." These sites continue to play a crucial role in understanding and appreciating our church heritage. To really understand our church story, there is no good substitute for actually being at these sites!

Community of Christ, Historic Sites Manager Lachlan Mackay, with concurrence of the Church Historian Mark Scherer, would like you to know the updates and activities occurring at each site. These items are offered to help keep church members and friends fully informed about the place of the historic sites in the total ministry of the Community of Christ.

1. Kirtland Temple Extensive repairs were recently completed: (a) Stabilization of the foundation by compaction grouting (b) Installation of additional joists where needed and securing existing joists where separation has occurred (c) Installation of a climate control system to monitor moisture levels (d) Preservation of exterior stone work.

The Presiding Bishopric played a major role in this extensive renewal project, and RTF Board Member, George Lund, provided architectural service.

2. Nauvoo (a) The basement of the Red Brick Store will receive a facelift to allow archeological artifacts to be more effectively displayed, and to permit "hands-on" activities for children.

(b) New roofs were installed on the Red Brick Store, Bidamon Stable, the Nauvoo House, the Mansion House, and the Sidney Rigdon home.

3. Heritage Plaza, Independence: The Joseph Luff home, which once housed the studios of early RLDS radio programming, has been renovated. It now provides housing for guides interpreting the history of the Flournoy House, the Frederick M. Smith Study, and Luff home.

4. Lamoni Liberty Hall has received complete exterior renovations. It is the center of study for the Joseph Smith III era. Much of his correspondence has been preserved on computer files located at Liberty Hall.

5. Haun's Mill Access to this site has been improved by a new bridge and parking lot. An archaeological survey is currently underway in cooperation with Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation and John Whitmer Historical Association. Visitor count records show that last year, more than 100,000 visitors came to Nauvoo, and over 35,000 visitors shared in the Kirtland experience. If you would like to make a visit, or a group is planning to visit the Church's historic sites, please contact the site(s) in advance.

Site contacts are:

Far West-Haun's Mill, Caldwell County, Missouri:
Contact: Lachlan Mackay, 9020 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
440.256.3318; temple@ncweb.com
Local: D. Edward Davis
8443 Southwest Duroc Drive
Kingston, MO 64650; phone 816.586.2421

Independence, Missouri:
F. M. Smith Study and Flouroy House
Restoration Heritage Plaza
1034 West Lexington
Independence, MO 64050
Contact: Lachlan Mackay, 9020 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
440.256.3318; temple@ncweb.com
Tours available

Kirtland, Ohio:
Kirtland Temple Historic Site
Contact: Lachlan Mackay, Director
9020 Chillicothe Road
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
440.256.3318; temple@ncweb.com
http://www.kirtlandtemple.org/

Lamoni, Iowa:
Liberty Hall Historic Center
1300 W. Main
Lamoni, IA 50140; phone 515.784.6133
http://www.lamonistake.org/libertyhall.html

Nauvoo, Illinois:
Joseph Smith Historic Center
Contact: Joseph Smith Historic Center
Box 338
Nauvoo, IL 62354
phone 217.453.2246
Joseph Smith Historic Center

Plano, Illinois:
Old Stone Church, Early RLDS Church Headquarters
Contact: Plano Stone Church
304 S. Center Street
Plano, IL 60545; phone 815.436.5505 or 815.286.3270 (pastor).

Volunteer Guides: Are you looking for new and creative ways to provide ministry? There is a continuing and urgent need to enlist and develop qualified guides at all sites. The ministry of tour guiding provides a testimony that lasts a lifetime. Today there is a critical need for tour guides, particularly in Kirtland, Nauvoo, and Lamoni.

Guides perform the crucial task of serving the church by "interpreting" its historic sites. Our sites need people who like to meet others and are willing to share the story of the church. Each year thousands of visitors travel to our historic sites. With your help, inquirers can learn more about today's institutional identity.

For information, see the "Positions Open" section in each issue of the Herald.