Preservation Update: Details on Idaho Falls Temple, Monteplier Tabernacle Renovations

Note: Preservation Updates are a regularly occurring series of posts where I round up recent information on historic LDS buildings and their futures. Depending on the age of the post, there may be newer information available. Click here to see all Preservation Updates.
 
What exactly is going to be done to the Idaho Falls Temple when it closes in March? Thanks to the LDS Church Temples website, we have a better idea:

"A major focus of the renovation will be to bring the historic temple up to code. Mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded and structural walls reinforced. A separate exit will be created for brides and grooms, and a large waiting room added for wedding parties—reducing the size of the current office space. In the ordinance rooms, the murals will be restored and the number of seats reduced to increase roominess and improve the room-to-room progression of the temple. Finishes and furnishings will be refreshed throughout the temple, and clothing rental and cafeteria services will be retained."

The temple renovation will follow the pattern of recent temple renovations in the Church--making necessary changes and upgrades, but preserving the historical elements of the temple. The only major change appears to be the addition of a waiting room, but that is in the newer section of the temple. I love that they will preserve the murals--and it might be nice to reduce the room capacity, too. When I visited the temple last year, I realized that the rows were awfully close.

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Scott Haskins, an art preservationist who often does projects for the Church, is reporting that this Tuesday (February 3), he is going to the tabernacle in Montpelier (which is currently under renovation) to replace two murals by Minerva Teichert that were removed during the actual renovation. 

(Image Source)

It appears that the building may be close to opening again. I will keep checking for updates on this renovation, as well as the many other renovations that are ongoing.

Dry Creek Stake: Stained Glass Windows Detail

See the last post on the Dry Creek Stake Center for details on the historic windows. They were reshaped and installed in this building, and they are lovely. I am so glad they were saved.

It's a pity that the Springville Second Ward building was burned down, but at least these items are present in this building as a reminder of our heritage.

Manti Temple: East Doors

The east doors of the Manti Temple lead to a small waiting room for those attending sealing ceremonies. The room is flanked on either side by the two smaller towers, each with its open-centered spiral staircase.

Incidentally, installing the door was apparently such a monumental task that Marjorie Hinckley's grandfather, a carpenter, sustained a hernia and died at 24. It must have been quite a strenuous job.

Belvedere Ward: Interior

This is a view of the cultural hall (decorated for a Christmas party):

The chapel, unfortunately, was occupied at the time of my visit. I was able to see the interior through the glass that separates it from the lobby.

However, I was able to get a picture of the carvings of Torlief Knaphus at the front of the chapel:

Dry Creek Stake

The Dry Creek stake center in Springville is a standard building--but it includes some special historic elements from the now-destroyed Springville Second Ward.

(Source: Church History Library)

The Springville Second Ward was built in 1904 and renovated and rededicated (by President Hinckley) on March 1, 1998. It was a beautiful building, and I wish I had some pictures of the interior.

In 2006, an arsonist burned the church down. It was a tragic loss for the community. However, four stained glass windows and the pipe organ was saved. When the Dry Creek Stake Center was built in 2010, the windows and organ were installed in the otherwise normal, standard-plan building.

The stained glass windows are at the front of the chapel. I will be posting more pictures of them shortly.

BYU: Heber J. Grant Building

The Heber J. Grant building is the original library of the university. It now serves as the dreaded testing center, so despite its beautiful architecture, students aren't that fond of it.

The room pictured above, as many know, is now the main hall for those taking tests.

The details on the carvings of this building are incredible to me.

Belvedere Ward

(Source: Church History Library)

This chapel was built in 1925. It is an example of the "Colonel's Twins" plan: the chapel in one wing, the cultural hall in the other, and classrooms on the bottom floor.

Orem Second Ward

Note: This post is one in a series that focuses on LDS architecture that is not historic, but that departs from standard cookie-cutter plans to become unique and beautiful in a different way. To see all of these posts, click here.

The Orem Second Ward looks to have been constructed sometime in the 1950s or early 1960s.

 (Source: Church History Library)

It still stands on the corner of 400 N and 400 E in Orem. I liked the simple themes on the exterior of the chapel.

Then I compared the interior of the chapel as it was in the early 1960s to now:

(Source: Church History Library) 

To be honest, I preferred the chapel as it appeared originally. The current chapel has the theme on the outside of repeated squares and crosses, which is nice. However, the original connected with the outside theme by having the square in the cross on the pulpit and doors. The doors looked much nicer than they do now. And I liked having the simple picture of Christ, although I know pictures in general are a rarity in LDS Chapels. Still, it's a nice chapel to be able to visit.

Rexburg Tabernacle: Window Detail

Springville Fourth Ward: Stained Glass Detail

The Springville Fourth Ward also has lots of stained glass throughout the building, not just in the chapel.

Most of the doors have glass above them, and each one is unique.

Some other rooms have stained glass, too. This is the stained glass in the Primary Room, which is the same as the ones in the Relief Society room.

Cutaway Model of Washington D.C. Temple

Yesterday, the Church opened a new cutaway model exhibit of the Washington D.C. Temple. The article includes some neat photos of the model, which is just like the model they recently built for the Salt Lake Temple's visitors' center.

Pictures of the model, including a video with comments from President Eyring, are available at the Mormon Newsroom article linked above, as well as the Deseret News.

(Image Source)

It's great to be able to see some pictures of the interior. There are seven levels, and each one has different rooms: the first floor (basement) has the baptistry, the main floor has the offices, the third floor has the locker rooms, the fourth floor has the endowment rooms, the fifth floor has mechanical ducts and vents, the sixth floor has sealing rooms, and the final floor has the priesthood assembly hall. By looking at the pictures, I could see how big the assembly room is (very big!). I also learned that the mural that was recently installed at the front of the Provo Temple's chapel was also installed on the third floor of the Washington D.C. Temple (which you can see in the fifth photo on the Mormon Newsroom article).

Perhaps the Church will make some more cutaway models for other landmark temples. I think it's a great idea!

Springville Fourth Ward: Carving Details

I was unable to find out who did the art in the chapel. If anyone happens to know who did it, I would love to know.

There are four different panels. The first one (near the back of the chapel) is the "Exhortation of Moroni":

The next is "Joseph Receives the Plates":

The next one is "The Three Witnesses":

And the final one (closest to the front) is "The Eight Witnesses":

All of the carvings are lovely. It was wonderful to be able to see it.