- FKA: Pittsburg Pennsylvania East Stake (1978)
Stake History[]
2020 New Stake Presidency[]
Chris Hoke, former BYU and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, was called Feb. 16 to preside over the Pittsburgh North Stake.[1]
Many who follow Cougar football and the National Football League will recognize President Hoke, who played for BYU in the late 1990s and wore a Steelers uniform for 11 seasons from 2000-2011. During that time he was part of two Super Bowl winning teams (Super Bowls XL and XLIII). He also played in Super Bowl XLV, a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pittsburgh North Stake have been and will continue to be blessed by President Hoke’s service, said Elder Vai Sikahema, an Area Seventy. “President Hoke is a good man and a great leader,” Elder Sikahema said. “He is beloved in Pittsburgh.” President Hoke, originally from Santa Ana, California, served in the Brussels Belgium Mission before playing for the late head coach LaVell Edwards at BYU from 1997-2000.
Following his college career, President Hoke joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. He was one of three rookie defensive linemen to make the Steelers' 53-man roster that year, he said. "I'm sure I was the 53rd guy," he said with a laugh. "I'm sure I was that last one (to make the team)."
President Hoke, who turns 44 in April, retired from professional football in 2012 before starting a TV/radio broadcasting career with the local CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, where he provides football commentary and analysis of the Steelers. Within weeks of his retirement, President Hoke was called as the second counselor in his bishopric. He went on to serve as a bishop for five years. At the time of his calling as stake president, President Hoke was serving as the second counselor in the stake presidency.
Elder Hugo Montoya, a General Authority Seventy, presided over the stake’s reoganization and was joined at the meeting by Elder Michael M. Dudley, an Area Seventy.
President Hoke’s family, including his wife, Jaimee, sons Nathan and Lincoln and daughter Aubree, attended the meeting. The couple’s oldest son, Cade, is currently serving in the Rio de Janeiro North Mission. Another daughter, Chloee, was away at a gymnastics competition.
President Hoke's counselors are President David Glover and President Bernd Scanlan.
President Hoke's call to serve as stake president comes one year after Ken Niumatalolo, head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy, was called to preside over the Annapolis Maryland Stake. Another former NFL player, Mark Harris, and his wife were recently called to preside over the Georgia Atlanta North Mission. Harris played college football at Ricks College and Stanford University before spending four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in the late 1990s.[2]
In early 2023, Gregory Noelting was called to replace David Glover as 1st Counselor in the Stake Presidency.
List of Stake Presidents[]
| # | Years Served | President | 1st Counselor | 2nd Counselor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1978-1980 | Garth H. Ladle | ||
| 2 | 1980-1989 | James L. Critchlow | ||
| 3 | 1989-1993 | Roy Wennerholm Jr. | _ (1989-1992)
Gary L. Smay (1992-1993) |
Gary L. Smay (1989-1992)
_ (1992-1993) |
| 4 | 1993-1997 | Reed C. Cook | Curtis E. Nelson | Jeffrey F. Manley |
| 5 | 1997-2000 | Robert C. Oaks | Dan B. Skoubye (1997-1998)
William D. Jeffries (1998-2000) |
William D. Jeffries (1997-98)
_ (1998-2000) |
| 6 | 2000-2009 | George L. Rosenberg | Gary L. Smay | Jeffrey L. Farr (2000-2006)
Jeffrey F. Manley (2006-2009) |
| 7 | 2009-2018 | Raymond B. Carter | Jeffrey F. Manley | James S. Cratty |
| 8 | 2018-2020 | Donald M. Jenkins | David S. Glover | Christopher L. Hoke |
| 9 | 2020-present | Christopher L. Hoke | David S. Glover (2020-23)
Gregory L. Noelting (2023-present) |
Bernd E. Scanlan |
Allegheny County Home Centered Church Opportunities[]
We teach that true religion begins in the home: "Home Centered / Church Supported". To that end families may consider the following local resources and programs to strengthen your core beliefs and values:
1. Come Follow Me: - Daily & Weekly family gospel study
2. Vanguard Scouting: - Featuring age-appropriate Family Activities, Service, Crafts, Field Trips, & Outdoor Adventures. The Benefits of Scouting are many, and there are lots of personal growth ideas to help your family pursue the new Churchwide Children & Youth Program.
3. LIFE School Curriculum: an LDS gospel based homeschool program that is built on the foundation of the scriptures, giving the child a sense of who he is and setting him on the path of discovering his divine mission. It is presented in a four year chronological rotation, integrating all areas of study to create a clear picture of the history of our world.
4. Family History: Resources to help you explore your family tree
- Mormon Pioneers - 200+ stories of early faithful Latter-day Saint pioneers.
- Familypedia - Come help build Pennsylvania's largest Family History online Encyclopedia.
5. Stripling Warriors on Facebook - LDS Children preparing to build Zion and around the world.
6. Local Recreation:
- Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Scouting - Outdoor Trails, camping, museums and other family attractions.
- Pioneer Treks -
Columbus Ohio Temple[]
The Columbus Ohio Temple is the 60th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the second temple built in Ohio following the original Kirtland Temple in 1836. The property has a direct tie to early church member Julia Clapp Murdock.