Lehi Fourth Ward: Stained Glass Details

Members of the ward in this chapel were very patient as I took tons of pictures and even turned out the lights at one point (sacrament meeting was over.)

The focal point of the window is a beehive, surrounded by two vases of flowers.

Even the details behind the beehive are stunning. Clouds, a blue sky, small trees.

The gothic arches of the window really captured my attention, too.

One window can make all the difference.

Ogden Sixth Ward

Constructed in 1910, the Ogden 6th Ward is a beautiful building.

Here's what it looked like originally.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

(Image Source: Church History Library)

Unfortunately, the building has been vacant since the early 1980s, and it's in poor condition today.

I did catch a peek of some interior molding through a broken window.

Lehi Fourth Ward: Stained Glass Window

As stated in my last post, this is the original window from the Lehi Fourth Ward's chapel.

It's stunning! Every other aspect of this chapel is modern, but this window really makes the chapel a beautiful place to worship. It's lit electronically from behind.

There is too much to highlight in this window for one post. My next post will have close-up details of almost every aspect of the window. I really loved having the opportunity to see it.

Lehi Fourth Ward

There's a bit of a story behind the next couple of posts on the Lehi 4th Ward. This beautiful structure originally stood here, in northeast Lehi:

(Image Source: Church History Library)

It was constructed in 1912-1913. In 1952, it underwent extensive renovations, which included additions on the building's north side (the right of the photo.)

The stained glass (visible in the photo) was at the back of the chapel; at the front was a large painting of Christ. The basement was one large room that could be separated into classrooms with curtains.

The building was demolished sometime after 1985. After some research, I was told that the stained glass had been placed in the building that replaced it on the same site. Eagerly, I went to the new chapel.

 However, this is what I found:

The organ is lovely, but there was no trace of the stained glass window. I combed the entire building, and finally asked the local bishopric about their knowledge. It turns out the stained glass window had been transferred to a building a few blocks over, which houses the Lehi Sego Lily Ward.

Unfortunately for me, the building was closed for cleaning for a couple of months. Luckily, you won't have to wait that long--I'll show the window and details of it in my next posts.

Fairview North Ward

 I love the exposed rock on this chapel. It was constructed in the 1930s.

This chapel has the same floor plan as the Cedar City First Ward, with some obvious differences--no clock tower (and originally, no steeple at all), the gray stone instead of the colorful rock of Cedar City, and a few other changes. The Cedar City chapel is generally considered more significant, because of its use of local materials; however, this building has a more stately appearance because of its use of gray stone.

This portion on the left (west) side of the building is the cultural hall. The chapel runs east from there.

A Bishop's office was located here, accessible from an exterior door and from the chapel itself.

Twenty-seventh Ward: Stained Glass Details

The stained glass on the three sides of the chapel lets in a lot of colored light. They're really some beautiful art.

Preservation Update: St. George Tabernacle Closes for Renovation; Other Updates

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.

It has been several months since I took the time to compile a Preservation Update. Let's jump right in!

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The St. George Tabernacle closed a couple of weeks ago for a major renovation that will take up to two years. The sources I've been able to find indicate that these are mostly for seismic purposes, and little changes will be made to the actual building. The project's stated description is to "Perform Structural Upgrades to roof connections, and install helical piers, and others indicated in Contract Documents. Install new wood shake roof." It is estimated to take about 18 months to complete.

The tabernacle was extensively restored in the 1990s, and its appearance now is historically accurate. The St. George Tabernacle is one of the most used--along with well-preserved--tabernacles owned by the Church. Click here to see all the posts documenting this beautiful building.

I will probably not follow this renovation as meticulously as I did for the Manti Tabernacle, but I will provide updates, when possible.

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One of the first buildings documented on this blog was the Spring City Endowment House. I visited Spring City last year (to document its chapel) and noticed little changes to the building; however, since then, it has received some fresh coats of paint. Here's the before and after pictures:

Before

After (Image Source)

The building is much more colorful now. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I'm glad to see that it's being so wonderfully preserved.

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The Arizona Central recently ran a report on the Phoenix Area's most endangered historic buildings. Included on the list is the Scottsdale Ward, which was originally built in 1950-1951. Here's the building as it originally looked:

(Image Source: Church History Library)

And as it looks now:

(Image Source)

It's a shame this building is coming to its end. It may not be the most unique in terms of LDS chapels, but we need to keep every historic chapel we can.

Twenty-seventh Ward: Chapel Interior

I originally visited, and posted about, the Salt Lake 27th Ward quite a while ago. However, the actual chapel was occupied, so only recently was I able to visit again and get pictures of this part of the building.

The organist faces away from the congregation, but a couple of mirrors allow them to see the conductor.

Beautiful stained glass is on three sides of the building. Close-up pictures of the windows will be posted soon! The doors in this photo go out to the corner tower.

The corner tower is a beautiful room, with stained glass on both sides and a high, arched ceiling.

Ogden Fourth Ward: Font Room

This mural was not original to the building; it was added some years later.

The font used to be directly underneath the mural; now it's on the other wall (where all the chairs are facing).

It was painted by Charles Ephraim Tillotson. He was born in 1890 in Brigham City, Utah. He later moved to Ogden as would take painting lessons as a child. He later studied at the Art Institute in Chicago. He spent a month painting this mural (which is 6' by 11.5').

Ogden Fourth Ward: Chapel Details

Ogden Fourth Ward: Stained Glass Details

Here are some shots of the windows lining the chapel and cultural hall:

A window from the coat room:

The windows above the main entrance: