The Timpanogos Ward building was the first one built in Orem. It stands at about 800 N 400 E.
There is a plague at the front of the building, which reads:
The Timpanogos Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was
organized November 8, 1885, at a meeting held in the log schoolhouse
presided over by Presiding Bishop William B. Preston, his counselor
Robert T. Burton, and Provo Stake President Abraham O. Smoot.
Timpanogos, an Indian word meaning many waters, was the name given by
the Indians to the entire valley as well as the beautiful mountain
standing at the northeast border of the valley. Plans were made in 1895
to erect the meetinghouse. The land for the new building was donated by
Thomas Jefferson Patten, Sr., nephew of the Apostle David W. Patten.
Peter Mastin Wentz, called as the first bishop, and his sons made some
of the brick for the building and the adobe lining. The various hues now
apparent in the restored brick face show that they were made in small
batches. The style of the church with its lovely gothic windows and
tower was typical of the architecture of the day. The building measured
fifty-two feet by thirty-six feet. Balls of carpet rags were donated and
these were placed on hand looms to make rugs that added comfort and
beauty to the new chapel. Window openings were covered with quilts. The
building was dedicated in 1898 and used for dances and community
activities as well as for worship. This chapel has been remodeled,
renovated and added to throughout the years to accommodate members. From
the original Timpanogos Ward has come a growing number of wards and
stakes.
I decided to look up some older pictures of the building. It was interesting to see. Originally, the chapel had a tower.
This was removed near the beginning of the 1900s because of structural deficiencies.
Here, the chapel and cultural hall were not yet connected. Also, the windows appeared to be a clear type of glass, not frosted. The doors were also nicer than the standard glass door on the chapel now.
The chapel is now used as a classroom, not the chapel. I'll post some interior pictures soon.
As a decendant of Peter Mastin Wentz, I would love more information on the historical photos you've posted here. They were incredible to see!
ReplyDeleteDo you know the dates these photos were taken?
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather, Boyd C Davis, was bishop of the Timpanogos ward in Orem in the 1940s. I have the desk he built himself for the bishops office, and the short kneeling stool the priests used at the sacrament table. Then many years later, in the 1970s, I attended that ward when the Orem 19th Ward met there. The building was painted a kind of army surplus light green, and everybody called it "the Green Church" - and continued to call it that long after it got remuddled into the version that exists today. I hate pretty much everything about the remodeling except the fact that they sandblasted the green paint off to reveal the original brickwork.
ReplyDelete