Randolph Tabernacle

It took a long time to build this beautiful little building in Randolph, Utah (population: about 500). In fact, excavation for the building began in 1898, and it wasn't dedicated until 1914, by George Albert Smith.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

(Image Source: Church History Library)

This is a building that is not technically a "tabernacle," as it has never served as anything but a ward chapel. However, it is included on most lists, including Richard Jackson's list in Places of Worship, because of its architectural merits.

The building received a sensitive remodel in 1984, including a one-story addition on the back. This building still houses services every Sunday. It's a beautiful building in a beautiful area.

Logan First Ward: Chapel Details

Logan First Ward: Chapel Interior

There's many features I like about this chapel. The rostrum is underneath a domed ceiling; organ pipes and a painting of the pioneers are at the front (painted by Everett Clarke Thorpe). A center aisle leads to the podium, and the sacrament table is in the front.

Doors line the sides of the chapel, and they lead into classrooms (as do the doors on the sides of the balcony). The windows have wonderful detail in the transition from the curved ceiling to the walls. I will have some detailed photos in my next post.

Logan First Ward

Built in 1918, the Logan First Ward building is one of the oldest chapels in Logan, and it's still well preserved.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

We'll be looking at other features of this building, including the interior, in future posts.

Twelfth Ward: Chapel Interior

This chapel has a very unique arrangement: The sacrament table is in the middle on the floor. The podium is to the right; on the left is a choir loft. The organ is in the center (behind the sacrament table), but the piano is off to the left.

Two, small stained-glass windows are on either side of the rostrum.

Meanwhile, at the back, some partitions can be lifted to provide overflow space for worship services. This is a really interesting building.

Twelfth Ward

Built in 1940-41, the Twelfth Ward has a rather unique floor plan, especially in the chapel interior. I'll have that in my next post.

Stratford Ward: Chapel Interior

Stratford Ward: Stained Glass Details

There are some beautiful stained glass panels above the main entrance. These are not original to the building; they are not there in earlier photos. I talked with some members of the ward and they say it was added in the past 20 years or so.

Stratford Ward

(Image Source: Church History Library)  

The building has some resemblance to the Fairview North Ward and Cedar City First Ward chapels in its floor plan: A chapel in the middle, the cultural hall off to the left, and a bishop's office connected to the chapel.

A gate now stop people from entering in through the chapel door (and where the Bishop's office used to be).

Yalecrest Ward: Interior

Sliding doors divide the chapel from an overflow room, and then from the cultural hall. In the overflow room is a small storage closet that leads to a space in (or near) the tower.

Yalecrest Ward

Built in 1936, the Yalecrest Ward was built in the art deco style.

On the south side, a monument pays tribute to the silk industry of the early settlers.

Monument Park 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.

I stumbled across this ward and was mostly interested in the way the building was designed.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

There is one long hallway that runs the length of the entire building. Elegant chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and along the inside wall are pictures of the prophets of this dispensation.

The chapel has windows that go into this hallway, which made me think that the hallway was the result of a renovation. But it does appear to be the original floor plan.

Nibley Park Ward: Chapel Interior

Again, this bas-relief was done by ward member Arno Alfred Steinicke. Copies of this hang in the Salt Lake, Logan, Manti, and St. George temples.

Nibley Park Ward: Lobby

The main lobby leads to the chapel on the left and the cultural hall on the right.

Above the main entrance is a bas-relief depicting the pioneers. It was done by Arno Alfred Steinicke, a member of the ward. He has another carving in the chapel.

That main staircase leads up to some classrooms, but it was originally another prayer circle room.