An architect's study of the Auditorium of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is pictured as it was planned in 1926, when construction started. The site had been part of the 63-acre temple lot chosen by Joseph Smith in 1831. The building has been used for meetings since 1927, but was not actually considered completed until its dedication in 1952. Two main causes for delay on construction were the depression and World War II. The 1,200 congregations throughout the world provided the money for the building, and when it was completed in 1952, it was debt-free. The structure measures 250 by 270 feet and is 130 feet high. The dome is of copper, painted green. The main audience chamber seats nearly 6,000 people. There are 200 rooms which are used by church officers and general departments such as religious education, music, radio, audio-visual, public relations, legal, farm management (the church owns about 8,000 acres of land northeast of Independence), statistics, building maintenance and the department of women.The banquet hall will seat 600. The Laurel Club, a women's service organization, can serve about 1,000 persons an hour, cafeteria style. During world conference about 5,000 meals a day are served. The music room is used regularly by the Independence Symphony Orchestra, the Messiah Choir, the Radio Choir and by the Auditorium Chorale. An Aeolian-Skinner organ built especially for the Auditorium is considered one of the finest organs in the nation. It contains 6,300 pipes which range in length from one quarter of an inch to 32 feet. The organ is heard in recital weekly over nationwide radio. The legend printed on the address side of the old post card describes the proposed auditorium and estimates the finished cost at over a million dollars, but today's completed structure, with additions and improvements, is valued at well over $8 million. Kansas City's park system has a bronze relief on a polished marble monument portraying Joseph Smith and 11 of his followers at the Paseo and 29th, near Troost Lake. Kansas City Times, December 8, 1978.
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