(If there are any corrections or additions that you see in the following, please submit them with some type of verification to lee.hunt@huntmysteries.com)
HISTORY OF THE JOPLIN
(as of 1989; submitted by Bro. Paul Johnson, Carthage Ward)
The Joplin Branch was organized on June 21, 1921.
Branch presidents & bishops who have been called since 1921:
Branch Presidents:
Joseph AltopJoseph O. Johnson
Lester Rayl
Walter Tomplinson
Parley
Donald E. Warren
Walter L. Walker, Jr.
William E. Hughlett, Sr.
Wilbur L. “Bud” Myers
Harold W. Bodon (9/24/72)
Bishops:
Harold W. Bodon (4/29/73)Steve Bertoch
Donald E. Warren
Ray Minkler
Harvey Schofield (6/15/80)
On Jan. 8, 1967, the Joplin Branch Chapel was dedicated.
The following is an excerpt from the dedication program:
"The Joplin Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized June 21, 1921, with approximately fifty members.
Today (Jan. 8, 1967), there are four hundred members in the branch. When first organized. the Saints met in various halls and old store buildings on
The building committee had many fund-raising projects, such as cutting wood, serving weekly dinners, holding rummage sales, selling
key chains. pens and candy, also the Lord’s Day (where each member gave their entire earnings for the day to the building fund). However the thing that helped the most was the sale of property which was donated to the branch by Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey Norman and the generous contributions, sacrifices and many hours of hard work donated by the members -- some of whom are deceased and many are members of other branches and wards throughout the world.
Numerous building sites were considered before buying the present location. The area was undeveloped at the time, but with its central location and proximity to the new Senior High School, it was chosen as the most ideal location. Our Chapel was the first of three Churches to be built in this area and is now surrounded by beautiful homes. The architectural design of our building has served as a model for other Churches built in
We moved into our new building in March 1961, and the Webb City Branch was combined with the Joplin Branch in August of that
year. We completed the sale of the property at
We arc looking forward to the day when we can start construction of a recreation hall. The members of the Joplin Branch are grateful
to their Father in Heaven that he has guided them in their efforts. They pray that He will accept this House as a fitting place wherein
His children can meet and worship Him."
The Joplin Ward was divided on Nov. 6, 1983
Joplin First Ward
Harvey Schofield (11/6/83)Leo Fish (4/28/85)
Mike Galbraith (10/23/88)
Ray Shields (2/16/86)
Dave Tillman (11/6/88)
The Ozark Stake was organized on April 29, 1973, by Spencer W. Kimball, President of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder L. Tom Perry, member of the Council of the Twelve.
C.S. Claybrook was sustained as stake president.On May 11, 1973, a cyclonic wind ripped through Joplin
When the Ozark Stake was organized, the following ten units made up the stake:
Mountain Home
West Plains
In July of 1973, the Stockton Branch was organized.
In August of 1973, the Tulsa Region was organized with three stakes and districts:
Northwest Arkansas DistrictOzark Stake
On Oct. 21, 1973, the first addition to the Joplin Chapel was dedicated. The original building was constructed in 1961.
In October of 1974, the Lamar Branch was organized.
In 1976, the Nevada Ward was transferred from the Kansas City Stake to the Ozark Stake.
On Aug. 1, 1976, the Monett Branch was organized.
On Aug. 1, 1976, the name of the Ozark Stake was changed to the Springfield Stake.
In 1978, the Springfield Stake was divided and the Joplin Missouri Stake was formed, with Kenneth Martin being sustained as its first president.
The following units made up the original Joplin Stake:
Five Wards:
Neosho
Three Branches:
Commerce
Lamar
Grove
On Sept. 9, 1979, President Dee V. Sharp was called as stake president of the Joplin Missouri Stake by Elder Bruce R. McConkie.
On Oct. 14, 1979, the Pierce City Ward was organized.
On March 9, 1980, the Cassville Branch was organized.
On March 16, 1980, the Carthage Branch was organized.
On May 9, 1980, “True to the Faith,” a pageant was written by Joycell Cooper about the life of Joseph Smith and performed at the Parkwood High School in Joplin
On June 8, 1980, 15,000 attended an area conference at the Checker Dome in St. Louis , MO.
On June 13, 1980, “Brother Jim,” a pageant about the life of Jim Nickel and the church in Southwest Missouri was performed at the Monett City Park
On April 19, 1981, the Pittsburg Ward Chapel was dedicated.
On June 14, 1981, the Monett/Pierce City Chapel was dedicated.
On July 3, 1983, the Parsons Branch was transferred from the Tulsa Stake to the Joplin Stake.
On Nov. 6, 1983, the Joplin Was was divided into the Joplin First and Joplin Second Wards.
On March 18, 1984, the Anderson Branch Chapel was dedicated.
On Sept. 9, 1984, Harold W. Bodon replaced Pres. Sharp as Joplin Missouri
As of 1984, the Joplin Missouri Stake had fifteen units:
Anderson Ward
Carthage Branch
Cassville Branch
Commerce Branch
Granby Branch
Grove Branch
Joplin First Ward
Joplin Second Ward
Lamar Branch
Monett Ward
Neosho Ward
Nevada Ward
Parsons Branch
Pierce City Ward
Pittsburg Ward
On Oct. 21, 1984, the Dallas Texas Temple
On Oct. 20, 1985, the Granby Chapel was dedicated.
On Dec. 29, 1985, the Cassville Chapel was dedicated.
On June 15, 1996, the Joplin Missouri Stake Center
On June 29, the Grove Chapel was dedicated.
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