Sevier Ward

Built in 1930, the Sevier Ward Church (originally known as the Cove Ward) is unique for its use of local stone.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

As you can see, there were some lovely stone patterns incorporated into the structure. This was mostly lost when the entire building was painted white in 1947. Now, much of it has faded, but you can still see trace of the original pattern today.

The community dwindled, and in 1949 the Sevier Ward was discontinued. It was still used for local Church and community events until it was sold in 1973. It is still held privately today, but it looks fairly well maintained, considering the remote location.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Richfield (Sevier Stake) Tabernacle

The original Sevier Stake Tabernacle (in Richfield, Utah) was a stunning piece of architecture. It was completed around the turn of the century.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

Unfortunately, the tabernacle really didn't last long. It was seismically unstable, and Richard Jackson noted that during a meeting in 1912, a large piece of the ceiling fell, creating a panic in the congregation. The tabernacle was torn down soon afterward. In its place, in 1930, came the new tabernacle.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

It still stands today.

The majority of the building is a larger version of the red brick Colonial Revival style that was used in many LDS chapels of the period.

However, what really sets the building apart is its front entrance--with grand staircases, greek columns, and leaded glass.

I'm glad to see that this building is still being used!

Junction (Utah) Ward

The rather simple (yet gothic in nature) Junction Ward chapel was likely built around the turn of the century. This is one building I haven't been able to find many details on. 

The building is now privately owned. It looks like it's used more for storage.

The good news is that it appears to be actively cared for. This picture was taken by another blogger about a year ago. You'll see some changes in that time--the new paint job, work on the doors, etc.

(Image Source)

Takaroa (French Polynesia) Branch

I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight a really beautiful little chapel located on the island of Takaroa in French Polynesia. The atoll that includes the island has about 882 people. A Church News article in 1991 noted that 68% of the people on Takaroa were members of the Church, so it is a center of strength for Mormonism.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The chapel for the Takaroa Branch was built in 1891. The walls were constructed using large blocks of coral that were bound together with a cement made out of smaller coral stones. Wood was used to frame the vaulted windows (which have stained glass) and doors.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

A lot of the pictures from the Church History Library appear to be taken when the building was in a state of disrepair. A cyclone in 1906 destroyed virtually everything on the island except the chapel. Other cyclones in 1982 and 1983 also destroyed many buildings, but the chapel remains.

(Image Source: Mormon Newsroom)

The chapel looks in great condition today. Excepting the Gadfield Elm chapel (in Great Britain), it may be the oldest chapel outside of the United States. It's a lovely piece of Mormon Architecture, in what many would consider to be an unlikely place!

Salina First Ward: Exterior Details

Salina First Ward

 The Salina First Ward Meetinghouse was built in 1935.

The building isn't particularly ornate or unique, considering the time period and location in which it was built, but it's still a lovely little building with some nice details. It's also remained fairly unchanged during its decades of use.

Parowan Third Ward: Stained Glass Detail

One of the most striking aspects of the Parowan Third Ward is the set of stained glass windows that run along both sides of the chapel.

This stained glass may not be the most detailed example of Latter-day Saint windows in the prairie style (for another example, see the Salt Lake 8th Ward), but they are a lovely fit for this building.

Parowan Third Ward: Chapel Interior

It may have taken me three and a half years since I first documented this building, but I was finally able to photograph the interior of the chapel.

Rows of stained glass line both sides of the chapel. A decent-sized balcony is at the back.

You can enter the balcony through the small lobby on the west side--technically the main entrance of the building.

The front of the chapel is very nicely done, as well.

By comparing this with an earlier photo, we can see there have been some changes--the chairs on the stand and the pews look newer, and some remodeling has been done to the rostrum. It looks like a cry room has been blocked off.

The podium matches the prairie style of the building. It's a great little chapel.

Midway 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.

Midway, Utah (west of Heber) used to have some more unique chapels. However, this chapel, located near the center of town, had some nice variations on the standard Church floor plan that I liked. Midway is known for its Swiss heritage (and it holds a Swiss Days festival every year), and this chapel has some nice modifications to fit with that theme.

Enterprise Ward (1913)

Built to replace its aging predecessor to the north, this Enterprise Ward chapel was built in 1913.

It was used until 1957, when an even newer (and the currently used) chapel was built to its south.

The Church still owns this building as well. Its current use is uncertain, but it looks fairly well maintained. I poked my head in, and you can see that its main room is a cultural hall.

This is a wonderful block of buildings in Enterprise.

Enterprise Ward (1898)

Enterprise, Utah (in the southwest corner of the state, north of Mountain Meadows--population, around 1,700) has a central block of the town that has all of its chapels. Instead of tearing them down, they would just build a new one next to the old one. It's really nice to see the central block preserved as the ecclesiastical center for the town.

Image Source: Washington County Historical Society

This meetinghouse was built in 1898, when only seven families were in the town. It was used as the church and school until 1913, when a newer chapel was built to its south.

The building was used by the Relief Society in Enterprise from 1913 until 1953 (when an even newer meetinghouse was built on the southeast corner of the block). The building was used as an office for a bit, but it began to fall into repair. The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers met in 1959 and was granted use of the building by the Church, in return for their caring for the building. It is still owned by the Church, but it now houses a museum for the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

It's been kept up fairly well, and it's been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Richfield First Ward: Exterior Details