New meetinghouse enhances historic site in Japan
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YOKOHAMA, Japan — One of the Church's most historic sites in Japan is now enhanced with a recently dedicated meetinghouse.
The meetinghouse is near the place where, 101 years ago, Heber J. Grant, Louis A. Kelsch, Horace S. Ensign and 18-year-old Alma O. Taylor, found their first lodgings. A few days after their arrival, these first missionaries to Japan walked a short distance to a spot on a nearby hill where they knelt and offered the dedicatory prayer that opened the island nation for the preaching of the gospel.
During centennial ceremonies last year, a polished stone and brass plaque recognizing those missionaries was unveiled at the base of what is now the meetinghouse steeple. The monument is known as "The Symbol Tower" and represents the place's sacred history.
The meetinghouse was constructed during the following year and is Japan's 183rd, serving its more than 110,000 members.
The location is a part of Yokohama known as Yamate, meaning "high place." The district is particularly unique because of its colorful history. During the late 19th century, it was the "gaijin" (foreigner) district where outsiders were safe from the reach of Japanese Samurai law. It was here on the Yamate Bluff that early Christians in the nation established their mission schools, businesses and churches. Out of it has grown an extensive and cosmopolitan international community. Several prominent historical and lovely churches and museums line the road that winds along the crest of the bluff overlooking the bay.
One small parcel of land along the bluff road had been virtually untouched over the years and was recently used for tennis courts by one of the area's private schools until the Church purchased it for its monument and meetinghouse.
Some 300 members and guests from the community gathered as Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, a member of the Seventy and president of the Asia North Area, dedicated the meetinghouse on Sunday, Sept. 1. In his remarks, he acknowledged the hand of God in preserving and preparing the spot for a meetinghouse on the historic Yamate Bluff.
Other speakers were Boyd J. Tuttle, former Yamate Ward bishop; Brent C. Robinson, current bishop; and Yokohama Japan Stake President Yukio Kumazawa.
Bishop Tuttle noted that, unlike when the original missionaries arrived and were greeted with hostility, the response of other Christian churches and the community in general was favorable as Latter-day Saints prepared to dedicate the new building. Schools operated by various faiths and other entities offered their buildings and parking lots for use during the Church's events in the area.
