Friday, Dec. 29, 2023

Courtesy photo/St. Francis Xavier School

The renovation of the gymnasium at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and school will provide increased seating for spectators at events.

Intermountain Catholic

KEARNS St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and school in Kearns are getting more usable space in their gymnasium thanks to an ALSAM Foundation grant that will fund the entire project. The gym was part of the original church/school campus constructed in the 1950s.

I actually knew that we needed to do renovations before I was the principal here because my boys that have both graduated from Judge Memorial [Catholic High School], theyve always played CYO basketball, said Principal Heather Brown, who spearheaded the project. When we would come here for games, the fans had to sit on the foul line. So oftentimes, youd get a ball on the lap, or sometimes even a player. There wasnt ever any place for the people who came to events to fit.

The school received the funding in March but with the high demand in the construction industry and materials shortages it was July before they were able to hire a contractor. In early August G1 Construction began the project, which is expected to be complete in early February.

Although the actual footprint of the building will not change, by eliminating some storage space the gym will increase by several feet on its north end, where fixed bleachers will provide seating for 50 to 60 people. The west-end upstairs room, formerly used as the churchs cry room, will be opened up and filled with benches. The area below it will also be used for additional seating. The gym will also get a new floor.

We wanted to invest in it to have a brighter, updated, more usable space for the whole community, Brown said.

In addition to being used for special events for both the church and school, the gym acts as the schools lunch room, and physical education classes are normally held there. With construction under way, the schools 211 students now are eating their lunches in the library and other open spaces. P.E. classes are held outside when the weather allows it.

The faculty and staff are doing a great job of being flexible, Brown said. We have a combination of places where the students are eating: sometimes they eat in the library, because we have a wonderful big library; sometimes theyre in the classroom.

When the project is complete, students will again have lunch and P.E. in the gymnasium, but the project will make it so that we can have a space for assemblies as well, Brown said. Well be able to have a space that we can be proud of to host sporting events and other events.

I would love to give a big thanks to the ALSAM Foundation for supporting the school and giving us the resources, she said. This wouldnt be possible without them. Were also grateful for the church community and the school community for being patient and supportive. As you can imagine, it has affected the entire community.

The school is also reconfiguring its office space and entry to make it more accessible. All the administrative offices will now be located in the middle school wing. This project is expected to be completed in mid-January.

The main reason for this was to have an easier access of an entrance for our guests coming in because before it was really confusing for anyone who was new coming to the church or the school, Brown said. So now this is more of a direct entrance to the school.

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Renovations update school gym built in the 1950s - Intermountain Catholic

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The unveiling of the Light the World Giving Machines in Cebu, Philippines, at Ayala Center Cebu Mall on Nov. 16, 2023. Participating in the event is Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, center left, and Primary General President Susan H. Porter, center right.

Photo supplied, Intellectual Reserve

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The Layton Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, currently under construction, on July 14, 2023.

Ryan Comer, Standard-Examiner

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President Russell M. Nelson poses with his counselors in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, at a small gathering in honor of his 99th birthday in his office at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. His birthday was Sept. 9.

Photo supplied, Intellectual Reserve

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Dec. 13, 2023, that a new Missionary Training Center will be located close to the new Bankok Thailand Temple.

Photo supplied, Intellectual Reserve

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released its year-end report of activities and global donations Tuesday, highlighting efforts undertaken to fulfill its mission of helping followers pattern their lives after Jesus, helping those in need, inviting all to receive Christs teachings and to uniting families forever.

According to the church, one of the biggest areas of focus in 2023 involved humanitarian aid. The church reported it gives more than $1 billion each year to help fight hunger, disease and other issues facing people in several countries.

For instance, in August, the church announced a donation of $44 million to support global hunger relief efforts, targeting children in 30 countries. That was followed in November with the launch of an effort, headed by the Relief Society, to improve the health and development of children under 5 and their mothers in 12 countries in Central America, Africa and Asia.

The church also donated $8.7 million to the American Red Cross for biomedical equipment, mobile blood donation centers and programs to assist people with cancer or sickle cell disease, and $3 million in support of a malaria immunization campaign in Africa.

Some of the other donations were used to provide greenhouses in Bosnia, warm clothing for people in Chicago, health care in Ghana, wheelchairs in Guatemala, an African American schoolhouse in Louisiana, fire relief in Maui, infant health and hurricane relief in Mexico, a shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Montreal, a prosthetics workshop in South Africa, boreholes for clean water in Gambia and a school in Zambia, the church said.

Local charities we not overlooked as food banks, neighborhood improvement groups and hospitals also received donations and were included in this years Light the World Giving Machine efforts.

We want to empower families, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson said, as quoted in the churchs report. In many cases, loving parents lack the knowledge to provide adequate nutrition for their children. With greater understanding and resources, they are better equipped to make changes that can have a lasting impact.

This year, the Giving Machines were found in 61 locations worldwide including Salt Lake City and Orem. Since 2017 when the machines started, more than $22 million has been donated for a variety of goods and services for those in need, according to the church. That figure does not include what is being collected in 2023.

In 2023, the church announced 36 news missions to accommodate the rising numbers of missionaries, including two in Utah County: Saratoga Springs and Spanish Fork.

With these additions, the church now has 450 missions with more than 72,000 full-time and service missionaries.

On Dec. 13, the church announced it would open a new Missionary Training Center in Bangkok, Thailand, effective Jan. 1.

Temples, which are unique to modern day Christianity, are a part of the growing nature of the church and are considered by the faith to be houses of the Lord.

On Dec. 10, President Jeffery R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, rededicated the St. George temple, a legacy temple and the first to be built in Utah. Holland and his family have close ties to the temple, including his own marriage to the late Patricia Terry Holland.

We need to try to be outside the temple the way we are inside the temple, Holland said at the time, speaking of the sacred space where Latter-day Saints believe they learn the purpose of life and are united as families for eternity. We need to remember the pledges and the promises and the hopes and the dreams. If we could take those outside the temple, wed change the world.

In the five years he has lead the church, President Russell M. Nelson has announced the construction of 133 temples across the globe with 315 already in operation. The church also announced a new program for manufactured temples called Design, Manufacture and Construct, or DMI. The first of this kind was built in Helena, Montana. According to the church, the new method expedites construction, costs less and supports conservation issues. According to the churchs Temple Department, it will allow for temples throughout the world and very little concern with supply chain and shipping issues.

In other church changes, Elder Patrick Kearon was named a new apostle in December, filling the leadership void left by the death in November of President M. Russell Ballard.

In addition to Ballard, the church also lost Sister Mary Crandall Hales (wife of Elder Robert D. Hales, who died in 2018), Sister Kathleen Eyring (wife of President Henry B. Eyring of The First Presidency) and Sister Patricia Holland.

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Church of Jesus Christ recaps year of global charity, temple proliferation - Standard-Examiner

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The Holy Family Church Preservation Society officially announced the churchs closure after falling short of its fundraising goal earlier this year.

While structurally sound, the church building is badly in need of long-overdue maintenance.

TheHoly Family Church Preservation Society sought to secure $225,000 in pledged donations by July 1, later extended to Aug. 26. The society ultimately received pledges from 85 donors totaling a little more than $95,000, which was too far short of its goal.

As a result, the society was left with the reality it needed to sell the building and surrounding land, which it announced it would do in a Dec. 15 Facebook post.

While the Holy Family Church has closed and will be sold, Corpus Christi Parish is holding a special Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family there on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.

The church at North 23rd Street and Avenue B was built in 1908 and operated as its own parish until 2011, when Queen of Apostles, Our Lady of Carter Lake and Holy Family merged to form the Corpus Christi Parish.

In April, the Holy Family Church Preservation Society entered into an agreement with Corpus Christi Parish to have the parish fund upkeep of the church while they attempted to raise the needed funding.

In an October 2023 letter to parishioners, Corpus Christi Parish announced its intention to ask the Diocese of Des Moines for permission to sell the Holy Family church building, rectory and nearby land.

The parish is expecting to solicit two bids for two separate parcels the vacant lot between 23rd and 24th streets, and the church, rectory and grassy lot to the east of the rectory.

According to the letter, the church will be sold under covenant to try to prevent unfitting future uses.

In its Facebook post, the Holy Family Church Preservation Society expressed its gratitude for everyone who had supported its efforts to save the church from this fate.

While our campaign was not successful, we want to thank ALL of you for believing that preserving Holy Family Church was indeed a worthwhile mission. We are so very grateful for your past support that allowed the Society to preserve Holy Family these last few years, the society said.

With permission from the diocese, the two parcels will go up for sale in early 2024.

Corpus Christi Parish is holding a special Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family at Holy Family Church at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31.

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Council Bluffs' Holy Family Church to be closed and sold - The Daily Nonpareil

When members of Our Lords Lutheran Church presented their plans to donate a portion of their property to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to The Village City Council last September it was met with enthusiasm from council members.

At the time, Mayor Sonny Wilkinson and Councilman David Glover suggested the possibility of constructing up to four "cluster homes, similar to homes constructed in the Hawthorne neighborhood, on the donated church site.

"The part of our property we want to donate had never been used except as a softball field years ago, Tom Ziebell, a 32-year church member, told the council last fall. "We believe part of our churchs mission is to our community, and because of our involvement with Habitat, we decided donating the land to provide affordable housing to deserving families would help fulfill that mission.

Earlier this month residents living near the proposed Habitat for Humanity home sites voiced both their concerns and support for the project during a packed public hearing held by the Planning and Zoning Com-mission. The commission met to consider a Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning request from Habitat for Humanity for undeveloped property directly south of Our Lords Lutheran Church, which is located south of Hefner Road and east of Major Avenue.

Mark Zitzow, AICP, with Johnson & Associates summarized the proposed project by telling the commission, "Four homes would be constructed on smaller lots featuring homes with an average square footage of 1,100-1,300 with construction and materials costs between $140,000 to $150,000 on donated property.

"Our new home recipients must donate 100 hours of sweat equity and pass credit and background checks, Ann Felton Gilliland, CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity told those in attendance. "Habitat for Humanity homes are energy efficient which means lower utility bills. We adhere to all provisions of the Fair Housing Act.

A Notice of Public Hearing to consider the rezoning request was mailed to all property owners within 300 feet of the property donated by the church to Habitat for Humanity. Most homeowners voiced deep concerns about the project including increased traffic, negative impact of property values and parking issues, while others spoke in support of the proposal.

Local resident Jack Christie shared with the commission research from county assessor records on covenants, plats, lot sizes, average home values and a door-to-door survey he completed showing fears of declining property values. He suggested that two homes instead of four would be a better fit for the project.

Neighbor Tyler Vaugh spoke of his support for the mission of Habitat for Humanity, but expressed concerns for sanitation and public safety access to all properties.

With six members seated on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the motion to approve the project failed to pass with a 3-3 vote, which is different than a 2-4 vote of denial, and it was sent back to the City Council for action.

"The PUD request was to provide smaller lot sizes to build a single-family home on, said City Manager Dave Slezickey. "Per code, the area of property was not large enough for multiple residences for single family residential zoning.

When a resolution regarding amending the PUD zoning to allow smaller lot sizes to accommodate four Habitat for Humanity homes was brought before the City Council earlier this month, numerous residents again spoke for and against the resolution, including recent City Council candidate Jon Sousa speaking in favor.

"Overall concerns from the council were mixed, but were welcoming to four new homes for four new families in The Village, said Slezickey. "The council heard the main issues with constituents were density, traffic, parking draining, public safety, and sanitation access.

After continued discussion the council had a rare split vote, approving the resolution 4-1 with Councilmen Sean Cummings, Wynter Griffis, David Glover and Mayor Sonny Wilkinson voting yes, while Councilman Bubba Symes said no.

"Most of the concerns presented to the council will be addressed during the design phase of this project as Johnson and Associates begins work on the final plat plan, said Slezickey.

The matter has been sent back to the citys Planning and Zoning Commission where the final plat submission is to be reviewed for recommendation before going back to the City Council for final approval. The city has said it plans to require civil engineering, extension of sewer lines to serve the homes and possibly the extension of water lines to accommodate a "cluster of four homes on the property.

The Village has at least one other Habitat home located on Westchester Drive that was constructed on a lot where a home was destroyed by fire and demolished.

Since 1990, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity has constructed over 1,066 homes for deserving families. Their homes have been lauded for the geothermal energy efficient construction that is about half the cost of other homes.

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Donated property for Habitat 'cluster' home draws mixed reactions - Oklahoma City Friday

Another day, hints of another large-scale residential project on the Lower East Side.

Coming up on Monday, May 8, Community Board 3s landmarks committee will consider a Certificate of Appropriateness for St. Augustines Chapel, a New York City landmark and one of the oldest church buildings on the Lower East Side. According to CB3s meeting agenda, the church property at 290 Henry St., is set to undergo:

restorative work, demolition of non-contributing structures (and) new construction on protected lots. Proposed 20-story mixed use intergenerational building providing affordable housing, retail, community facility space.

St. Augustines Episcopal Church opened in 1828 and the building became a city landmark in 1966. The designation report stated, Onthe basis ofacareful considerationofthe architectureandother features of this building, theLandmarksPreservationCommissionfinds that St.Augustines Chapel has aspecial character, special historicalandaesthetic interestand value aspartofthedevelopment, heritageandcultural characteristicsofNewYorkCity. One feature of the building (not mentioned in the report) is the presence of two slave galleries, which were restored a number of years ago to as The St. Augustines Project noted preserve a rare artifact of racial segregation in New York City, stand(ing) as a stark, physical reminder of how the boundaries of marginalization were drawn in our State.

A Certificate of Appropriateness is required by the Landmarks Preservation Commission if, the proposed work affects the significant protected architectural features of the landmark property or the proposed work does not conform to the rules of the commission.

In the designation report from more than a half century ago, the commission explained:

By this designation of the Landmark above described and the Landmark Site on which it is located, it is not intended to freeze the structure in its present state or to prevent future appropriate alterations needed to meet changed requirements of use for religious and directly related charitable purposes. The Commission believes it has the obligation and, indeed, it has the desire to cooperate with owners of Landmarks who may wish to make changes in their properties. In this connection the Commission wishes to state at this time that it recognizes that Trinity Parish (today St. Augustines is an independent entity) may want to erect new buildings in the future on its grounds at St. Augustines Chapel. The Commission recognizes that Trinity Parish may also wish to make exterior alterations to its existing buildings at St. Augustines Chapel. The Commission looks forward to working with the representatives of Trinity Parish when the Church desires to erect new buildings on its grounds or to make exterior alterations on its existing buildings.

UPDATE 5/1/23: Documents posted on CB3s website Monday provide more details. The project is described as a joint venture among St. Augustines Parish, Fulcrum Properties LLC, and NFW Group LLC. The development team plans to substantially renovate the church building and to construct a new 21-story tower, connected to the chapel. They envision 119 residential units, including apartments for older adults. As part of the project, an annex building behind the church would be demolished and many of the churchs historic features would be restored. You can view the document here.

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Community Board 3 to Hear Details of Proposed 20-Story Tower ... - The Lo-Down

Developers have put a proposal together for the corner of Walker and Church, incorporating the taxpayer that is Belle Reve, #32, into the L-shaped building that is #34 and creating a new cast iron building. I will continue with the details below, but one thing confounds me: from what I can tell, 32 Walker has not changed hands since 1981; 34 Walker, acquired in 1966 by the family that ran the Paramount/Boltex Textile Company, has a contract signed according to the listing, but has not changed hands yet. So it seems a bit premature?

All that aside, its best to look at the massing drawing above to understand: the dark grey is the existing L-shaped Paramount/Boltex building, and the light gray is the new construction. The idea is to merge these two into a single cast iron project. They developers would add a sixth floor to the entire structure, which is within zoning limits, and that floor would get the crown that mimics the current one plus a glass penthouse set back from the street wall. The new structure would lose the fire escapes. The color would match 55 Reade, the cast iron building on the corner of Broadway.

The developers are Cedric Abboud and Gary Romaniello, and Abboud said he is very active in the UK doing historic restorations in Chelsea and Kensington as well as the Middle East, but this is only their our second year in the US as a developer. SOMA Architects, led by his brother, Michel Abboud, was the architect for the failed 45 Park Place the supertall that is still left hanging and is, IMO, a blight on the neighborhood.

The new building would actually be cast in iron; the developers said they were meeting last week with the Alabama company Robinson Iron. And all of this is very preliminary: they have submitted a request for the application with Landmarks and have been assigned a staff member. But they wanted to come to CB1 early to get their feedback.

The committee thought it was a bit too early they had a hard time digesting the plans without more detail. And no vote was taken. But there were some that were fully accepting of the plan, and thought that they were off to a good start, and some that thought it was too Disney (I dont quite get that?) and didnt delineate between the old structure and the new.

If someone is willing to spent the money to make a beautiful cast iron on the corner, then generally I am in favor of that, said chair Jason Friedman. The true preservationist would say this is not a good idea.

The Belle Reve building was built in 1954 it is not protected by the historic district. The Boltex Building was built in 1868.

A woman representing Belle Reve said that demolishing the bar would be devastating for the neighborhood, especially just to build more expensive apartments. Belle Reve brings so much life to that corner, she said. It would be very said to see it go.

The developers said there was no reason the new building couldnt have a bar in its storefronts.

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Plans for the Boltex Building and Belle Reve at Walker and Church - Tribeca Citizen

The challenge of expanding affordable housing for senior citizens in central Ohio remains a focus for National Church Residences.

Within the next two years, the non-profit organization plans to open about 700 new units in central Ohio. However, that will not be enough to fill the demand.

We need about 1,400 units annually to meet the demand just in central Ohio, said new President and CEO Susan DiMickele. "What we're seeing right now, even as we're opening new communities, they're full within less than two months and we've got a wait list.

DiMickele said National Church Residences maintains about 25 housing communities in central Ohio at all income levels. Renters of the units pay between 30 to 60% of their income. About 7,000 seniors a day receive a variety of services.

We also have services at National Church Residences where we provide in-home care, hospice at end of life and just try to find other resources to really help older adults age in place, regardless of whether they live for us or live with us, said DiMickele.

National Church Residences recently opened a new complex at Bretton Woods on Columbus North Side. Another complex is also on the North Side on Roche Drive near Route 161. Across the street, another senior citizens complex is under construction at the site where the Capri Lanes bowling alley once stood for more than 50 years. Each complex contains about 100 apartments.

DiMickele said as inflation increased prices for building homes, the organization has stepped up its partnerships with local and state government.

"One thing we find in affordable housing is even when we can get a federal tax credit, there's often a gap in funding, said DiMickele. And so that's why we are partnering more and more with the city of Columbus (and) with the county. We're also advocating for a state tax credit just to help fill that funding gap."

The Ohio Department of Development has reported that the percent of Franklin County residents who are 65 and older is expected to increase from 10% to 15% over a 30-year period between 2010 and 2040.

We really believe that housing is the foundation for everything else for health, safety, food security, said DiMickele.

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Non-profit working to meet demand in affordable housing for seniors ... - WOSU Public Media

After 70 long years, Britain will finally have a new monarch in King Charles and he will be coronated today in a ceremony that will go down in history as one of pomp and pageantry. And the place where this momentous occasion will take place is none other than Westminster Abbey, perhaps one of the most famous and historic churches in the United Kingdom.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be formally crowned in front of 2,200 guests including world leaders, foreign royals and members of the British Royal Family at the church which has long been at the heart of Britains royal life.

Incidentally, its also the same place where King Charles mother, Queen Elizabeths funeral was held. The historic and architectural marvel standing tall in the centre of London has borne witness to 16 royal weddings (including William and Kates), been the burial site of 18 monarchs, and served as the venue for 39 coronations of English and British monarchs. King Charles III will be the 40th monarch to be coronated there.

As we look forward to the extraordinary event, lets also take a look back at the history of this gothic structure.

History of Westminster Abbey

The origins of Westminster Abbey (or the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster to give it its correct title) can be traced back to the 1040s, when King Edward (later St. Edward the Confessor) established his royal palace by the banks of the river Thames on land known as Thorney Island.

Nearby a small Benedictine monastery founded under the patronage of King Edgar and St. Dunstan around 960 AD.

This monastery Edward chose to re-endow and greatly enlarge, building a large stone church in honour of St. Peter the Apostle. This church became known as the west minster to distinguish it from St. Pauls Cathedral (the east minster) in the City of London. Unfortunately, when the new church was consecrated on 28 December 1065, the King was too ill to attend and died a few days later. His mortal remains were entombed in front of the High Altar.

The abbey of Edwards vision survived for two centuries until the middle of the 13th century when King Henry III decided to rebuild it in the new Gothic style of architecture.

Under the decree of the King Henry III, Westminster Abbey was redesigned to be more than a monastery and place of worship, but also a place for the coronation and burial of monarchs.

This church was consecrated on 13 October 1269. But, once again, another king died before the nave could be completed.

The older structure of Edward the Confessor stood attached to the Gothic building of Henry III for many years.

Two centuries later, the western towers were finally completed in 1745, to a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Inside the abbey, one of the first significant areas is called the nave. Thats where the tomb of an unknown British soldier who died in France during World War II is located.

Located inside the nave is also the Scientists Corner, where some of the greatest British scientific minds have been laid to rest as well as the Poets Corner, where more than 100 writers and poets, including William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, have been memorialised.

The abbey that stands before us was almost destroyed during World War II when firebombs rained down on London.

Although the abbey wasnt directly hit, parts of its roof were consumed by flames started by German firebombs in 1941. According to the BBC, Winston Churchill who was prime minister at the time said the abbey must be saved at all costs.

Coronations and burials

Since its construction, the abbey has been part of history for the British monarchy. Since 1066, all British monarchs except two (Edward V and Edward VIII) have been crowned at the Abbey. The ancient Coronation Chair can still be seen in the church.

It is also the final resting place of 13 kings, four queens reagent, 11 queens consort (those married to a king) and two other queens buried in the Abbey making a total of 30. The first royal to be buried here was Edward the Confessor whose magnificent shrine stands at the centre of the church.

Queen Elizabeth IIs mother, Queen Elizabeth I is also buried here, along with her half-sister, the Catholic Queen Mary I. On the floor beside their tomb is the inscription: Remember before God all those who divided at the Reformation by different convictions laid down their lives for Christ and conscience sake.

Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral last year was another big event at the church.

There are also other notable figures such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Rudyard Kipling, Alfred Tennyson, Sir Winston Churchill and seven other prime ministers who are buried at the Abbey.

The funeral of Princess Diana, mother of princes William and Harry, in 1997 also took place at Westminster Abbey and by her own wish she was buried at her family home at Althorp.

Our coverage on King Charles IIIs coronation

Explained: The whos who at King Charles coronation and the role they will play

King Charles IIIs Coronation: From procession to enthronment, a guide to the historic ceremony

Some Ancient, Some Stolen: Spoon, spectre, crown and other jewels to be used in King Charles coronation

Ditching the Monarchy: How King Charles grip over the Commonwealth nation is slowly slipping away

How King Charles coronation will reflect his love of nature

The Ex Factor: Why Queen Camillas naughty first husband has received a coronation invite

Not My King: How Britain is going after anti-monarchists ahead of Charles coronation

Explained: Why Charles coronation is taking place nine months after he was proclaimed king

Weddings at Westminster

The architectural wonder has also been the scene of royal weddings most of them since World War I.

The first was when King Henry I married princess Matilda of Scotland on 11 November 1100.

Queen Elizabeths parents, prince Albert later King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, wed in the church in 1923.

And Queen Elizabeth II married Philip Mountbatten in the abbey in 1947, bringing some royal colour to the post-World War II recovery years.

Queen Elizabeths sister, Princess Margaret, and her children Princess Anne and Prince Andrew all got married in the abbey.

The last royal wedding was that of Charles eldest son Prince William, who wed his university sweetheart Kate Middleton in 2011.

Queen Elizabeth IIs presence

For King Charles III, Westminster Abbey would hold a very special place as the church played a major role in his dear mamas life. She marked key milestones of her life there. Her wedding to Prince Philip on 20 November 1947 took place at Westminster Abbey. The ceremony was broadcast on the radio to millions of listeners, and there were 2,500 guests at Westminster, including six kings and seven queens.

On 2 June 1953, she ascended the crown at the Abbey in a ceremony, which was televised to millions.

And today as he gets coronated he can also enjoy his mothers presence through the stained-glass that has been installed in her honour. In September 2018, artist David Hockney unveiled a new stained glass window called The Queens Window, representing the Yorkshire countryside in the spring. It was commissioned to celebrate the reign of Elizabeth II, the United Kingdoms longest-reigning monarch.

Westminster Abbey is all ready to add one more momentous occasion to its history and has prepped itself for the event.

With inputs from agencies

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Inside Westminster Abbey, the heart of British monarchy, and site of King Charles coronation - Firstpost

stake-presidentThe stake president holds the priesthood keys to lead the work of the Church in the stake. He and his counselors form a stake presidency. They care for stake members with love, helping them become true followers of Jesus Christ.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Download Photo

This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.

By Church News Staff, Church News

Following is a list of newly created stakes and stake presidencies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from around the world.

NOTE: When a new stake is created or a stake presidency is reorganized in an existing stake, leaders are given time to report the changes and provide brief biographical information for each member of the new stake presidency. A list of stakes reporting changes is compiled and published at the end of each month. The actual date of the stakes creation or reorganization is in parentheses following the name of the stake.

A new stake has been created from the Caldwell Idaho and Caldwell Idaho East stakes. The Caldwell Idaho Snake River Stake, which consists of the Jordan Valley Branch and the Caldwell 6th, Caldwell 16th, Caldwell 4th, Homedale 1st, Homedale 2nd, Marsing 1st and Marsing 2nd wards, was created by Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, General Authority Seventy, and Elder Kenneth J. Firmage, an Area Seventy.

CALDWELL IDAHO SNAKE RIVER STAKE: (March 26, 2023) President Jason Robert Nielsen, 51, ONE Grounds Management CEO and owner; wife, Stephanie Lynn Child Nielsen. Counselors Dwayne Michael Fisher, 48, Champion Produce Sales vice president of marketing, and Tamura Farms Inc. general manager; wife, Tracy Lynn Tewalt Fisher. Matthew Wayne Duckett, 48, South Mountain Cattle Inc. owner; wife, Pyper Kensington Schade Duckett.

A new stake has been created from the Iloilo Philippines North Stake. The Iloilo Philippines Central Stake, which consists of the Jaro 1st, Jaro 2nd, Lapaz, Lapuz, Leganes 1st and Pavia wards, was created by Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., General Authority Seventy, and Elder Bartolome L. Madriaga, an Area Seventy.

ILOILO PHILIPPINES CENTRAL STAKE: (Feb. 5, 2023) President James Gumboc Garcia, 43, business owner; wife, Kristine Aligaen Sorilla Garcia. Counselors Carlito Ismael Pablero, 48, Lemacel Trading Corp. field supervisor; wife, Flordeliza Nardo Eyao Pablero. Jecks Randall Dullete Andrada, 41, aircraft maintenance technician school instructor; wife, Estrellita Obungen Ong Andrada.

A new stake has been created from the Lehi Utah Holbrook Farms Stake. The Lehi Utah Cold Spring Ranch Stake, which consists of the Cold Spring Ranch 1st, Cold Spring Ranch 2nd, Evans Farm, Hardman Farms, Holbrook Farms 2nd and Holbrook Farms 3rd wards, was created by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, General Authority Seventy, and Elder Blaine R. Maxfield, an Area Seventy.

LEHI UTAH COLD SPRING RANCH STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Eric Ronald Sharp, 55, Oracle sales director; wife, Ira Lou Arbogast Sharp. Counselors Cesar Manuel Orrego Larrosa, 60, Church IT project manager; wife, Martha Serrana Pereira Viega Orrego. Kenneth Arthur Corbett, 60, artist; wife, Jayne Kathryn Folsom Corbett.

A new stake has been created from the Pucallpa Per Stake. The Pucallpa Per Centenario Stake, which consists of the Campo Verde Branch and the Bolognesi, Centenario, Primavera, Senz Pea and Ucayali wards, was created by Elder Jorge F. Zeballos, General Authority Seventy, and Elder Vctor R. Caldern.

PUCALLPA PER CENTENARIO STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Gilberto Salomn Linares Abril, 64, self-employed; wife, Yorcy de Linares Davila. Counselors Hamlet Torres Maldonado, 57, Avicola Torres owner; wife, Zulma de Torres Lpez. Eduardo Vela Rojas, 37, merchant; wife, Janeth del Pilar de Vela Gonzales.

AMMON IDAHO EAST STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Aaron Howard Gardner, 45, Idaho Falls Community Hospital pediatric services medical director, Just 4 Kids Health president and chief medical officer, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services medical officer; succeeding Fredrick G. Pieper; wife, Amy Lee Barentsen Gardner. Counselors Joshua Benjamin Roos, 41, Idaho Falls Power chief financial officer; wife, Jamie Marie Lyon Roos. Mark Warren Marlowe, 49, pediatric dentist; wife, Michelle Kunz Marlowe.

BEDFORDVIEW SOUTH AFRICA STAKE: (Feb. 5, 2023) President Sibusiso Vincent Nkosi, 46, City of Ekurhuleni Municipality chief engineer; succeeding Vusimuzi N. Msiza; wife, Glendrose Pindiwe Koti Nkosi. Counselors Landon Kyle Dade, 31, Seef property practitioner; wife, Sarah Bester Dade. Darryn Quentin Baird, 39, Baird Financial Services self-employed; wife, Melissa Leigh Van Zyl Baird.

BLUFFDALE UTAH STAKE: (March 26, 2023) President Derek Bradley Taylor, 48, Briargate Partners managing director; succeeding Adam F. Ghiz; wife, Kristen Burrup Taylor. Counselors Christopher Lee Swank, 57, Becton Dickinson director of operations; wife, Michelle Durfey Swank. John Ryan Bevan, 42, Gardner Group president of construction; wife, Sarah Jean Tutt Bevan.

BOUNTIFUL UTAH VAL VERDA STAKE: (March 12, 2023) President James Brett Finklea, 47, Church digital finance transformation lead; succeeding Jeffrey K. Anderson; wife, Heidi Jo Hillstead Finklea. Counselors Lance Eldon Lewis, 47, Church area planning manager; wife, Bobbi Jo Andrew Lewis. Mark Andrew Hyde, 46, DermTech area medical director; wife, Jamie Jensen Hyde.

BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA MONTE GRANDE STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Eduardo Andres Pedersen, 43, Church area leader and member support manager; succeeding Marcelo J. Paz; wife, Laura Jazmin Castellani Pedersen. Counselors David Nahuel Pitarch, 46, insurance businessman; wife, Gabriela Cecilia Scoccimarro Pitarch. Emmanuel Fuentes, 41, Church warehouse supervisor; wife, Carolina Elisabet Fuentes

CALDWELL IDAHO STAKE: (March 26, 2023) President Christopher William Stratton, 50, State of Idaho financial officer; succeeding Jason R. Nielsen; wife, Amylee Severe Stratton. Counselors Daniel Powell Rhoton, 46, Southwark Metal plant manger; wife, Aja Leigh Nope Rhoton. Philip John Bevington, 63, Ada County database administrator; wife, Lisa Jo Cheney Bevington.

CALDWELL IDAHO EAST STAKE: (March 26, 2023) President Jon Cortney Stauffer, 47, Nampa School District director of operations; succeeding Christopher W. Stratton; wife, JLynne Joanne Bailey Stauffer. Counselors Jonathan Paul Cole, 44, Sensata Technologies engineering manager; wife, Andrea Eileen Shackelford Cole. Kamron K Eck, 39, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion seminary principal; wife, Lisa Anne Ashby Eck.

COTONOU BENIN STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Ange Odilon Mahunan Sahoui, 31, Church distribution clerk; succeeding V. Modeste Kpadonou; wife, Eveline Genevieve Dokoui. Counselors Lamine Baoua Sadou, 41, handyman; wife, Eloise Baoua Sodogandji. Kotchegnin Oluwa Daniel Adjil, 45, SOS Childrens Village International ESL teacher; wife, Philomne Assoun.

DENVER COLORADO STAKE: (March 12, 2023) President Benjamin Bruce Bassett, 40, dentist; succeeding Peter J. Krumholz; wife, Kacey Lanai Walker Bassett. Counselors Jermaine Alexander Carroll, 45, C&C Solutions LLC general counsel; wife, Zabel Anoush Ouzounian Carroll. Ryan Finsrud Howell, 44, attorney; wife, Kristen Weed Howell.

EUGENE OREGON SANTA CLARA STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Russell James Roll, 58, Slocum Orthopedics administrator; succeeding Todd L. Knapp; wife, Denise Daniels Roll. Counselors Lance Richard Jorgensen, 50, Pap Group executive vice president and chief financial officer; wife, Alison Egnew Jorgensen. Gregory Kent Hansen, 52, financial advisor; wife, Margaret Jane Jash Hansen.

FRESNILLO MXICO STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Luis Francisco Miranda Mendez, 55, gym owner and manager; succeeding Spencer R. Wilson; wife, Noelia de Miranda Mora. Counselors Hilario de Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar, 36, ptima Solutions owner; wife, Lessly Sariah Ramirez Arambula. Jesus Leonardo Bernal Gallegos, 37, Nagakura Engineering Works Mxico EHS coordinator; wife, Lucia Alonso Acua.

GUATEMALA CITY MARISCAL STAKE: (Jan. 15, 2023) President Hector Tiberio Santos Portillo, 35, EzCorp software development manager; succeeding H. Jared Choy; wife, Celeste Araly Diaz de Santos. Counselors Victor Manuel Veliz Enriquez, 42, SERTOconsultores owner; wife, Marilyn Jeannette Alfonso Garcia de Veliz. Renato Benjamin Perez Chacon, 32, Canvas Solutions project manager; wife, Genesis Betzary Juarez Orellana.

GUATEMALA CITY PALMITA STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Manuel Enrique Recinos Enriquez, 47, Church temple facilities manager; succeeding Byron L. Lpez Castillo; wife, Mara Alejandra Reguero Porta de Recinos. Counselors David Fernando Echeverria Abularach, 40, EducA Learning education director; wife, Priscila Emperatriz Sagastume Pea de Echeverria. Jos Alberto Lpez Zepeda, 37, Church welfare and self-reliance manager; wife, Vivian Sofa lvarez de Lpez.

HARTFORD CONNECTICUT STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Keith Douglas Andersen, 59, Travelers Insurance Company business insurance vice president; succeeding William C. Elwell; wife, Leslie Sue Dubois Andersen. Counselors James William Steele, 52, SS&C Technologies strategic initiatives and program management office head; wife, Sarah Ann Dibb Steele. Conway Chuong, 41, Pratt & Whitney engineering manager; wife, Karen Virginia Viglione Chuong.

ILOILO PHILIPPINES NORTH STAKE: (Feb. 5, 2023) President Harold Malapitan Quimba, 36, self-employed business owner and manager; succeeding Cyrus C. Suya; wife, Erlinda Yermo Panes Quimba. Counselors Arron Galeno Democrito, 42, high school teacher; wife, Cathyrin Chan Razonable Democrito. Jomar Doromal Salimbot, 37, Nearsol Philippines Inc. procore system administrator; wife, Jenkie Amihan Lubrido Salimbot.

KAMAS UTAH STAKE: (Feb. 26, 2023) President Bronson Sid Smart, 46, National Resources Conservation Service national watershed rehabilitation program manager; succeeding Mark T. Durham; wife, Stephanie Ruth Weller Smart. Counselors Jeffrey Jay Spencer, 51, Stein Eriksen Realty Group associate broker; wife, Julie Ann Granger Spencer. Wesley Neal Harris, 42, Uinta Medical partner; wife, Jody Adena Rydalch Harris.

KAYSVILLE UTAH CRESTWOOD STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Bryan Reid Bush, 43, self-employed; succeeding Robert L. Mellor; wife, Camille Cook Bush. Counselors Edward Kennedy Barker, 52, Davis School District principal; wife, Diana Lee Catenzaro Barker. Corbett Truman Carver, 48, Pfizer account management employee; wife, Stephanie Moon Carver.

LAIE HAWAII MARRIED STUDENT STAKE: (March 12, 2023) President Po Nien Felipe Chou, 52, BYUHawaii professor of religion; succeeding Steven W. Tueller; wife, Petra Mei Wah Sin Chou. Counselors Alfred Tung-Teh Lee, 46, Palo Alto Networks vice president of product management; wife, Cherisse Suk Ling Goo Lee. Joel David Reece, 41, BYUHawaii faculty; wife, Linda Ann Erickson Reece.

LIMA PER VILLA MARA STAKE: (Feb. 19, 2023) President Ciro Alberto Caytuiro Soto, 55, Social Security of Health of Peru insurance and economic benefits office manager; succeeding Alex J. Arangoitia Solar; wife, Rocio de Caytuiro Vela. Counselors Jorge Luis Castillo Muoz, 60, AUTOESPAR customer service assistant; wife, Maria de Castillo Davila. Ramon Ricardo Rabanal Cortegana, 56, Exhibition Lawn Tennis Club head of maintenance; wife, Alida Maria de Rabanal Garcia.MURRAY UTAH PARKWAY STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Blake Adam Facer, 42, Fiserv client operations director; succeeding Daryl Nancollas; wife, Stacey Lynne Hunt Facer. Counselors Erik Graham Varney, 50, Verizon managing director; wife, Victoria Ann Lawrence Varney. Thomas Scott Brown, 59, Sun Print Solutions sales representative; wife Jennifer Brown.

LIMA PER OLIVAR STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Carlos Alberto Bardales Nuez, 40, distribution center supervisor; succeeding Jos A. Araujo Saavedra; wife, Jessica Alexandra Bardales de Mendez. Counselors Nestor Ismael Vega Ormeo, 40, Ascensores Schindler del Peru S.A. safety and quality inspector; wife, Gloria Ines Perez de Vega. Eduardo Andr Moncada Escalante, 32, Aero Transporte S.A. treasurer; wife, Aileen Beatriz Costa Crdenas.

LOGAN UTAH EAST STAKE: (March 26, 2023) President John Michael Miller, 46, Cache Valley Bank loan and trust officer; succeeding Alfred B. Burns; wife, Cassandra Ann Rawson Miller. Counselors Michael James Jensen, 59, Jensen Consulting Inc. third-party administrator; wife, Lauralee Griffin Jensen. David McKay Christensen, 57, Electric Power Systems director of government operations; wife, Mara Rae Duffin Christensen.

MESA ARIZONA HERMOSA VISTA STAKE: (Feb. 5, 2023) President Troy Arthur Rule, 44, Arizona State University professor of law; succeeding Todd R. Kerr; wife, Amy Dawn Steed Rule. Counselors Charl Whiting Riggs Jr., 56, Supporting Strategies - Phoenix and Summit Strategies president and owner; wife, Sheli Griffin Riggs. Benjamin Wallace LeSueur, 52, dermatologist; wife, Emily Jayne Porter LeSueur.

NAMPULA MOZAMBIQUE STAKE: (Jan. 8, 2023) President Ablio Francisco, 51, entrepreneur; succeeding Cirio F. Agostinho; wife, Filomena Rafael Alberto Francisco. Counselors Jalilo Amade Maquina, 31, Ministry of Health administrator and manager; wife, Virginia Armando Lourenco Faquia Maquina. Mazezo Antonio Sumaera, 41, pharmacist; wife, Brenda Rui Ivo Florindo Sumaera.

PERTH AUSTRALIA ROCKINGHAM STAKE: (Feb. 12, 2023) President Elam Gundersen Semu, 38, Strategix Training Group state manager; succeeding Rhys G. Standley; wife, Serene Marguerite Lauaki Semu. Counselors Tanielu Margraf, 47, business owner; wife, Nikki Ann Bianezos Margraf. William Te-Maihengia White Jr., 42, Steel Works Construction project manager; wife, Chantelle Karina Osborne White.

POWAY CALIFORNIA STAKE: (Feb. 26, 2023) President Anthony Joseph Newman, 51, Ramona Unified School District human resources assistant superintendent; succeeding Robert H. Walton; wife, Cristie Darlene Caten Newman. Counselors Richard Chad Whitehead, 52, Ernst & Young LLP partner; wife, Sarah Ann Little Whitehead. Mikkel Lauritz Christensen, 50, Synergy Management management consultant; wife, Marissa Lambert Christensen.

PROVO UTAH YSA 1ST STAKE: (March 12, 2023) President Jonathan William Johnson, 45, More Good Foundation president; succeeding David B. McGinn; wife, Heather Armstrong Johnson. Counselors Steven Len Embley, 54, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine clinical sciences assistant dean; wife, Heidi Sue Christensen Embley. Michael Aaron Johanson, 44, BYU alumni director; wife, Katrina Marie Jones Johanson.

RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Scott Dwain Batchelor, 49, Conga senior director of partner marketing; succeeding William G. Thornton; wife, Lynell Farrah Hamlin Batchelor. Counselors Blake Reid Boggess, 52, Duke University professor; wife, Amelia Catherine Rich Boggess. Bryan Lynne Cope, 58, tax audit supervisor; wife, Gena Lynnette Barnes Cope.

SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA NORTH STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Timothy James Nally, 42, Global Regulatory Writing & Consulting Inc. corporate counsel, and attorney; succeeding K. Wessley Larson; wife, Kathryn Stephens Nally. Counselors Christian Nilsson Brown, 48, A. Teichert & Son director of operations; wife, Jeanine Fry Brown. Jason Alexander Smith, 47, Teichert aggregate resource development project manager; wife, Lisa Marie Simmons Smith.

SALT LAKE GRANITE PARK STAKE: (Jan. 22, 2023) President Rollin Grover Johnson, 58, Suburban Land Reserve and Property Reserves Inc. asset manager; succeeding Todd H. Neubert; wife, Leslie Anne Benton Johnson. Counselors Alex Von Marshall, 39, University of Utah Department of Theatre music director; wife, Jackie Jensen Marshall. Timothy Mark Clark II, 36, Granite School District principal; wife, Melissa Lyn Dean Clark.

SALT LAKE HUNTER COPPERHILL STAKE: (March 26, 2023) President Cody Martin Hopkins, 49, Metro Repair owner; succeeding Chris T. Dennison; wife, Merrilee June Williams Hopkins. Counselors Matthew Charles Zito, 46, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion institute instructor; wife, Lisel Marie Sorenson Zito. Nathan Jared Dent, 49, Discover Financial Services senior workforce manager; wife, Angela Kay Nebeker Dent.

SAN NICOLS ARGENTINA STAKE: (Feb. 26, 2023) President Esteban Abel Maraude, 44, freelancer; succeeding Alejandro L. Mazzeo; wife, Melina del Rosario Maraude. Counselors Hipolito Benigno Morera, 33, Lervu S.A. salesperson; wife, Maria Victoria Reynero. Fabio Valentin Vazquez, 39, self-employed; wife, Pamela Vazquez.

SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA LA COLORADA STAKE: (March 5, 2023) President Henry Emilio Davalos del Castillo, 41, manager; succeeding Roger Rojas; wife, Karen Jhessenia Davalos Ledezma. Counselors Nelson Javier Poma Taborga, 46, Farmedical SRL maintenance manager; wife, Laura Jimena Torrez Cano. Amhed Zarate Llanos, 40, sales manager; wife, Ana Luisa de Zarate Romero.

SO PAULO BRAZIL PENHA STAKE: (Jan. 29, 2023) President Tiago Aurelio Zaccanini Carraro, 40, mechanical engineer; succeeding Ricardo Augusto Faria de Souza; wife, Morgana Almeida Carraro. Counselors Diego Tadeu Balieiro, 39, marketing consultant; wife, Andrea Batista Balieiro. Thiago Ramos Santiago, 39, Reaglan Surfboards owner and partner; wife, Marina Dias Sola Santiago.

SOWETO SOUTH AFRICA STAKE: (Jan. 29, 2023) President Anathi Qinisile, 38, Liberty Life MI and legal specialist; succeeding George Ntakwile-Shongwe; wife, Zandile Precious Ngubane Qinisile. Counselors Fulufhelo Lawrence Tshilande, 37, Liberty general accountant; wife, Katty Masuku Tshilande. Nkululeko Mlondolozi Nkosi, 41, Investec Bank settlements officer; wife, Agnes Maria Masemola Nkosi.

SPRINGVILLE UTAH WEST STAKE: (Feb. 26, 2023) President Kenneth Boyd Packer, 47, Provo MTC director of language training and development; succeeding Blake D. Rapier; wife, Cari Marie Robinson Packer. Counselors Kyle Bruce Bills, 41, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine associate dean of research and Migraine and Neurological Research Center owner and medical director; wife, Stephanie Ann Alexander Bills. Robert Laird Peterson, 58, self-employed engineering consultant; wife, Katherine Kiester Peterson.

SYRACUSE UTAH STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Richard Mark Partridge, 46, Church product management manager; succeeding Erik D. Hjorten; wife, Heidi Herrscher Partridge. Counselors Daniel Jed Snedaker, 39, dentist; wife, Kathryn Lorraine Tingey Snedaker. Burke Jay Adams, 42, City First Mortgage Services chief financial officer; wife, Nykol Howard Adams.

TEHUACN MXICO STAKE: (March 19, 2023) President Marcos Luna Caballero, 44, Caja Popular Mexicana head of administrative collection; succeeding Tomas E. Pazos; wife, Veronica Osorio Reyes. Counselors Jesus Hernandez Garcia, 38, business owner; wife, Carolina de Hernandez Martinez. Jaime Martinez Tapia, 36, The Phone House Telcel moto chip salesman; wife, Fabiola de Martinez Alvarez.

UBERLNDIA BRAZIL STAKE: (Feb. 5, 2023) President Everson Da Silva, 44, Algar Tecnologia employee; succeeding Raul Vitor Gabriel Lopes; wife, Elizangela Carvalho de Oliveira Silva. Counselors Lucas Vinicius Silva Pereira, 27, Cargill Inc. credit and risk team manager; wife, Natasha Mouzinho Borges Pereira. Pedro Paulo Marques de Souza, 33, Santander Brazil S.A. individual business manager; wife, Diana Raquel Moreira Souza.

WENDELL IDAHO STAKE: (Feb. 12, 2023) President Reid Wayne Lofgran, 54, physician and medical director; succeeding David C. Gines; wife, Danielle MacArthur Lofgran. Counselors Brad Arlington Nebeker, 71, teacher; wife, Jennifer Lynn Schuyler Nebeker. Mark Whitney Henslee, 51, farm and ranch manager; wife, Brenda Ann Stewart Henslee.

Link:
New Stakes and Stake Presidencies Announced in April 2023 - Church Newsroom