It seemed that the closest campground to Kansas City wasn’t in Kansas City at all. But the attractions in Independence Missouri only added to the fun of exploring the area.

The incredible spire of the Community of Christ Temple

After our wonderful stay in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma we moved on to Independence Missouri. Our location in Independence turned out to be awesome! From the campgrounds we could see the amazing spire of the Community of Christ Temple World Headquarters. We were not sure when it was most beautiful, daylight or nighttime. Plus we were literally around the corner from Harry S. Truman’s home. So before we even ventured into Kansas City we investigated what was really close by.

Community of Christ Temple World Headquarters 

Community of Christ Temple World Headquarters

The Community of Christ has its world headquarters in Independence, Missouri. Like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this denomination traces its origin to the movement begun by the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.

Formation of the Community of Christ

Following Joseph Smith Jr’s death in 1844, the movement he founded splintered into multiple groups. The majority of his followers went to Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young. But in 1860 another group came together under the leadership of Joseph Smith III, who was the oldest living son of Joseph Smith, Jr. Starting in the 1870s, church members began returning to Independence, where the denomination’s official headquarters was established in 1921.

Community of Christ World Headquarters Flags of many nations

In 2000, its members voted to change the name of the denomination from the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the Community of Christ. They felt that it was a name that better expressed their theology and mission. The denomination now has 250,000 members in more than 50 countries.

Architecture

The Community of Christ Temple is the denomination’s major landmark. Its tall spire is visible is throughout the city. Dedicated in 1994 to peace, reconciliation and healing of the spirit, the striking building with granite walls and a spectacular spire of stainless steel was designed by architect Gyo Obata.

Welcome to the Community of Christ Temple

Taking a tour

This religious site is open to everyone, unlike Mormon Temples. You can tour on your own, but volunteer guides can give additional information as you wander through the building. Guided tours begin in the temple’s Meditation Chapel which is a serene room overlooking a Japanese-style garden. On the walls are oil paintings of the church’s eight sacraments.

The Thread Project

Adorning the second floor are brightly colored hangings. Known as the Thread Project, these pieces are woven from threads gathered from 70 countries and seven continents. Using threads from clothing, blankets, even fishing line, textile artists and weavers set up 49 hand looms across the world to create the diverse pieces of cloth. The project took seven years to complete and symbolizes international cooperation and tolerance.

Detail of cut glass in entryway to the Community of Christ Temple
Photo Credit: Bob Sessions

Worshippers Path

After that you would enter the Worshippers Path that leads to the main sanctuary. The entryway is made of cut-glass designs that represent the forest grove in Palmyra, New York, where Joseph Smith, Jr. had the first revelation that led him to found a new church.

Community of Christ Temple

From the entry the Worshippers Path winds upward, passing by works of art that include a granite sculpture with a scene from the story of the Prodigal Son, a Tree of Life sculpture symbolizing diversity, and a granite pool designed to evoke the overflowing love of God, the waters of baptism, and the spiritual water that is available to all.

Another view of the spectacular Community of Christ Temple

The Sanctuary and Spire

When you enter the sanctuary itself, the first thing I advise you to do is look up. Way, way up!!! The spire above soars nearly nearly 200 feet up. It is a spiraling form that mirrors the shape of a nautilus shell. It is really quite amazing, sweeping upwards in great circles so that you feel like you’re looking into infinity. You could lose yourself gazing upward into the spiral that seems to lead into heaven. What a marvelous idea for a church steeple. It is really astounding!

Truman House

The Truman House was the home of Harry S. Truman and his wife from 1919 on.

The Truman House was built about 1867 by George Porterfield Gates who was a mill owner in the area. President Harry S, Truman and his wife Bess Wallace Truman, granddaughter of Gates, made this their home from the time of their marriage in 1919. It became the “Summer White House” during Truman’s presidency from 1945 until 1953.

Lewis-Bingham-Waggoner Estate

Another of the attractions in Independence Missouri is the home that John Lewis built. It was originally built as a six room house around 1852.

Artist George Caleb Bingham resided there from 1864 until 1870. He painted “Martial Law” Order No. II while in residence.

Open gates welcome you to the Lewis-Bingham-Waggoner

W.H. Waggoner, who was co-owner of the Waggoner-Gates Mill, and his descendants owned the property from 1879 through 1976. During that time they expanded the estate to its present size between between 1895 and 1899. The estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

And that concludes our tour of attractions in Independence Missouri!