I am inviting my fellow-bloggers, community leaders and the public to a special jubilee (50 years)celebration of the first stake in St. Louis. A stake is comprised of ten congregations or what we call “wards”. Currently there are three stakes in the greater metro area.

The event is this weekend, Sunday, June 1, beginning at 6 p.m — open for viewing of displays, self-guided — and 7 p.m. — presentation.

The location is the St. Louis Missouri South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — 4511 Butler Hill Road, St. Louis, MO 63128.

In celebration, we will be hosting Dr. Fred E. Woods, Brigham Young University Professor of Religion and Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding. Dr. Woods, along with area Latter-day Saint historian enthusiast, Tom Farmer, will be presenting the history of the church in St. Louis from 1831 to 2008. Learn more about Dr. Woods — click here.

Dr. Woods comes to St. Louis frequently for research and special presentations. Recently he spoke at the Cardinal Rigali Center. He spoke on one of his favorite topics — interfaith collaboration — and shared the story of faiths united in charity to help a leprosy settlement known as Kaluapapa on the Hawaiian Island of Molokai. See story — click here.

In addition to the St. Louis Church history presentation, there will be displays, music and a gift for the City of St. Louis, –the Honorable Mayor Francis G. Slay will be accepting.

If you would like to attend, please R.S.V.P. by posting a comment and I will save you a seat!

If you are a fellow-blogger or community leader, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Woods, so please note your interest to meet him.

If you have questions, please leave a comment.

I hope to meet you there!

Photo of Dr. Fred E. Woods, professor of religion and holds the Richard L. Evans Chair for Religious Understanding.