The Auditorium (formerly the RLDS Auditorium) is a house of worship and office building located on the greater Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri. The Auditorium is part of the headquarters complex of Community of Christ which also includes the Independence Temple. Construction Construction of the Auditorium was a major undertaking, illustrating the vision of church Prophet/President Frederick M. Smith who provided the building's inspiration. Ground was broken in 1926 and the building was finally completed in 1958. Smith's plans for the Conference chamber were originally about 66% larger than when it was finished. Construction was virtually halted during the Great Depression when the church struggled under a massive debt. Auditorium pipe organ The Auditorium houses an Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ with 113 ranks and 6,334 pipes. The Auditorium Organ includes an antiphonal console and pipes in the rear balcony of the oval chamber. It is listed as one of the 75 largest pipe organs in the world. Famed organist John Obetz (1933–2015) originated his Auditorium Organ weekly radio program from the Auditorium between 1968–1993, playing the Aeolian-Skinner organ for a national audience. Children's Peace Pavilion The Children's Peace Pavilion, located in the Auditorium, was established in 1995 to pursue its mission of "Enriching the lives of children through the pursuit of peace for all." It attracts visitors each year to a number of exhibits designed to teach concepts of personal peace, social peace, international peace, and environmental peace to children ages 5 through 11. It is a frequent destination for elementary school field trips in the greater Kansas City area. Local Girl Scouts may earn Girl Scouts of the USA insignia through a partnership with Children's Peace Pavilion. As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, Children's Peace Pavilion is governed by an independent board of directors. Events World Conferences World Conferences of the church are held every three years in the World Conference chamber, which seats 5,800 people. The Conference chamber is and it is from the floor to ceiling of the dome's interior. The exterior of the dome rises above street level. The original plan for the Auditorium included two balconies, but due to limited finances only one was built. Performances The Auditorium hosts an annual performance and broadcast of Handel's Messiah by the Kansas City Symphony and the Independence Messiah Choir. The Community of Christ International Peace Award has been awarded in ceremonies at the Auditorium. Other Events In addition to