New steeple placed on Joplin, Mo., LDS chapel as part of anniversary events

A steeple was placed on a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Joplin, Mo., on May 22 as part of the Unity Walk marking the first anniversary of a deadly tornado.

Joplin Missouri Stake President Creed Jones gave thanks for religious freedom and noted that many churches in Joplin were affected, the Springfield (Missouri) News-Leader reported. Only a few walls of the building were left standing after the tornado hit in May 2011, reported the LDS Church News.

More than two dozen church buildings in the community were destroyed by the storm and seven have been rebuilt, according to the Joplin (Missouri) Globe,

The estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people on the walk then went to a groundbreaking for the new high school, a ribbon cutting at a new business and then concluded with a progrram at Cunningham Park, according to the Neosho Daily News.

For more on the anniversary commemorations and remembrances, including a video and photo gallery, please see "Joplin remembers deadly tornado, one year later"

Email: rappleye@desnews.com