Roof completed just before the rain arrives

   The rainy season in Joplin held off this spring until just after workers were able to finish the outer walls and complete the roofing on the new Joplin Missouri Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
   Several days of heavy rainfull followed.

   The sun finally made a return visit on Saturday, March 24, 2012 -- along with blue skies and spring-like temperatures.

   Nancy and I took the opportunity to treat my sister Trena to a tour of Joplin, including a visit to the Joplin Falls and a stop at the new stake center.
   We were surprised that the Joplin High School just west of the stake center is now just a pile of rubber. We got a sunlit view of the new stake center from 20th Street heading east.
   Workers also have built a brick retaining wall on the west side of the church building, a brick sign area for the stake center and a park pavillion to the northeast of the stake center.

Noticeably missing is the stake center steeple -- which, according to construction supervisor David Farnsworth, will be put in place atop the stake center as part of events planned May 22nd on the anniversary of the devastating F-5 tornado.

Work is now progressing well on the interior of the stake center.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward behind pile
of rubble from the Joplin High School, damaged beyond repair
to the west of the church building. 

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward behind pile
of rubble from the Joplin High School, damaged beyond repair
to the west of the church building.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward behind pile
of rubble from the Joplin High School, damaged beyond repair
to the west of the church building.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward behind pile
of rubble from the Joplin High School, damaged beyond repair
to the west of the church building.
Note the brick retaining wall between the front of the church
and the road.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward.
Note the brick retaining wall between the front of the church
and the road.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward. The tree
at right is one that barely survived the F-5 Joplin tornado.
Note the brick sign at the southwest corner of the church grounds.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward. The tree at
right is one that barely survived the F-5 Joplin tornado.
Note the brick sign at the southwest corner of the church grounds.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward.
Note the brick sign at the southwest corner of the church grounds.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward.
Note the brick sign at the southwest corner of the church grounds
and also the brick walkway walls leading up to the south
entrance to the church building.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward.
Note the brick sign at the southwest corner of the church grounds
and also the brick walkway walls leading up to the south
entrance to the church building.
The chapel will be in the west end of the building with a cultural
hall behind the chapel in the center of the building. Classrooms
and offices are wrapped around the chapel and cultural hall,
which will include full-size basketball court and a large stage.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward.
The brick sign at the southwest corner of the church grounds
will greet visitors to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Joplin Missouri Stake Center.

The Joplin Missouri Stake Center rising skyward.
The brick walkway walls and stairs are in place leading up
to the south entrance to the LDS Church building.