PLAINVIEW, N.Y. — Members of the Plainview New York Stake, past and present, gathered for the rededication of the Plainview stake center Oct. 23, and recounted how this building — now rich in history — stands as a symbol to thousands of members of the Church who were introduced to the gospel during the New York World's Fair.
"This magnificent Plainview New York Stake Center is a living legacy," said William J. Schuck, who recounted the building's history during the rededication ceremony. "It is the tangible embodiment of the New York State's Fair Pavilion to which thousands of Church members owe their testimonies and membership."
Brother Schuck, like many other local members, was baptized after learning about the gospel while touring the Mormon Pavilion during the World's Fair in the mid-1960s.
The dedication of the meetinghouse 29 years ago by President Harold B. Lee in 1970 was the culmination of a dream that began in 1964 when the Mormon Pavilion was planned for the New York World's Fair.
The pavilion was originally constructed in such a way that parts could be used later in a meetinghouse in the New York area. When the World's Fair ended in 1965, after approximately 51/2 million people had toured the Pavilion, the 36 concrete panels that comprised the Pavilion walls, each weighing about 12 tons, were moved to the current site in Plainview for construction of a meetinghouse.
The meetinghouse was rededicated in October following significant renovations that were made during the past year, including the replacement of choir seats, pews, organ, windows and lighting system. The previous organ and pews were donated to two other local denominations.
Among those who attended the rededication were three former stake presidents and a former mission president of the New York New York South Mission.
"Today, I'm here representing the 500 missionaries who worked in the Mormon Pavilion, and whose lives were changed because of this building," said W. John Bailey of Sidney, Australia, who first served as a missionary in the Mormon Pavilion, then as mission president 30 years later.
Pres. Bernd J. Larsen of the Plainview New York Stake never visited the Mormon Pavilion during the World's Fair but, as a teenager growing up in Denmark, followed events by reading the Church News. Having learned English in school, Pres. Larsen was asked by his bishop to report on major Church events in sacrament meeting once a month.
During his comments, Pres. Larsen noted the irony that in his youth he was never fully convinced that the pavilion would be an effective means of sharing the gospel, but now, as an adult, he has been able to witness first-hand its tremendous impact and to participate in the rededication.
"So many fine people have come out of this area," he said. "So many more will. I believe the Church will become strong and large because of the dedication of these people."
Pres. Edward H. Jesperson, who served as stake president during the 1980s, told how he volunteered to help with the construction of the stake center shortly after joining the Church and being ordained a deacon.
Pres. Charles E. Neaman, then a bishop and contractor in charge of building the stake center, came in "like one of the task masters of Israel" encouraging the boys to do good work. "He taught me the value of work, and to love this building," Pres. Jesperson said.
