Register today for Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation’s upcoming online Fall Lecture Series
Journey with us this fall as we explore a number of fascinating individuals and topics from Community of Christ's past. This season we will hear the story behind Apostle Cecil Ettinger's journey to Nigeria in 1963, learn about the political challenges faced in 1830s Kirtland, gain an understanding of the German influence within the Whitmer family and among early church members, and hear Andrew Bolton share his story as our fourth storyteller in the "Your Story is Church History" series. It's a series you don't want to miss! Online lectures are free and open to the public.
Thursday 6 November 7:00 p.m. CST USA
"Nauvoo Polygamy and the RLDS Church" with Lachlan Mackay
Join us as we kick off the Fall Lecture Series with one of our favorite historians, Lachlan Mackay. Lach will explore the diverse perspectives and challenges behind understanding the origins of Nauvoo polygamy within RLDS history.
Thursday 13 November 7:00 p.m. CST USA
"A Peculiar People, Politically: The Saints and Politics in 1830s Ohio" with Seth Bryant
Dive into 1830s Kirtland political history with Seth Bryant to learn why Latter Day Saint males were shut out of local politics. Disenfranchisement was a function of township government in Ohio and was used to "protect" funds and politics from those who were seen as unfit by local leaders. In Kirtland, the Saint's peculiar religion and differing political views were the major reasons why they were denied residency and its subsequent rights. Eventually, the Saints made inroads into township politics, and even voted their own into office, but not without challenges and negotiation.
Thursday 20 November 12:00 p.m. CST USA
"From War and Poverty to Questing for Peaceable Zion: Andrew Bolton's Story" with Andrew Bolton
Spend time with Andrew Bolton as he shares answers to a variety of questions about his journey through life. Questions such as: How did an English Catholic altar boy come to be baptised into Community of Christ in South Wales? How did a socially awkward college student end up marrying a nice girl called Jewell from Independence, Missouri? What was his Mum like? How did his dad’s experiences as a British World War II soldier shape Andrew’s upbringing and his passion for Zion? Join Andrew (and meet Jewell) as he tells his story as testimonial history Please note: Program begins at 12:00 p.m. (Central) to accommodate our guest speaker and attendees joining us from England and Western Europe.
Giving Tuesday 2 December 7:00 p.m. CST USA:
"The Peter and Mary Whitmer Family and Diversity in the 1830s Church of Christ" with Mark Staker
Join Mark Staker as he shares a fresh perspective on members of the Whitmer family, a significant group of individuals that contributed to the founding and formation of our faith community. When the newly organized Church of Christ began in 1830, somewhere between one-quarter and one-half of the members of the community spoke German as their first language. They ate differently, the dressed differently, and they thought differently than did their English-speaking coreligionists. Pacifism had particularly been an important driving force in their community for two centuries. Mark Staker will discuss some of the family’s history and background that made them an important voice in the newly organized community and how understanding it influences our interpretation of some early historical events.
Thursday, 4 December 7:00 p.m. CST USA
"Cecil Ettinger's Journey to Nigeria" with David Ettinger
Join David Ettinger, son of Apostle Cecil Ettinger, as he shares the story behind his father’s journey to Nigeria and the beginnings of Community of Christ in Nigeria. The evening lecture will feature original movie clips from Ettinger’s visits in 1963 and 1964. This lecture is the final program in the Autumn 2025 Lecture Series.