Salt Lake 19th Ward

The Salt Lake 19th Ward is fairly iconic for its onion dome. Built in 1890-92, it came at a time when the Church began to branch out into other forms of architecture. The onion dome has oriental origin, and has been used in Byzantine and Russian architecture.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

It also departed from past architectural types by including a small lateral structure between the entry tower and the actual assembly hall, which obscures the front of the hall itself.

The building was sold sometime around 1975-78, I believe. It is now owned by the Salt Lake Acting Company.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

Cardston Second Ward

This prairie-style building, built in 1914, precedes the well-known temple located just to its west. It was originally known as the "Alberta Stake Social Centre" but it also housed the Cardston Second Ward.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

This is the only photo I can get of the chapel's original interior:

(Image Source: Church History Library)

In 1987, the Church sold the building to the city of Cardston for $1. It now houses the city offices, but it's still farily well preserved.

Blackfoot First Ward: Interior

The chapel's interior has changed somewhat over the years. In this photo (likely from the 1970s or 1980s), wood beams line the chapel ceiling.

Many of the chapel's elements are still present, although there have been changes. The wood beams have been painted white and are not as striking as before. The wall of the rostrum has been updated significantly. The lobby and cry room are still present.

When I visited this chapel, it was just before a sacrament meeting began. Because many members were already present and preparing for the service, I didn't feel it was appropriate to take pictures from the stand, as I usually do. I tried my best to get pictures of the chapel from the lobby and cry room.

Blackfoot First Ward

This chapel in downtown Blackfoot (Idaho) was built from 1928-1933.

Comparing the photos, you can see the prairie-style building has been fairly well preserved. A 1956 addition has covered some of the windows in the chapel.

In another post, we'll look at the building interior and how it's changed.

Nibley Ward

The Nibley Ward Meetinghouse, built in 1925, is a typical twin-style design, with the chapel in one wing and the cultural hall in the other. This was an early type, and the cultural hall was built 2 years later. The wings themselves weren't connected until sometime around 1960.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The building is now a preschool.

Payson Fourth Ward: Stained Glass Details

Some of the stained glass in the chapel is original; other windows have either been updated or did not have stained glass originally. Even the original stained glass, while simple, fits the building quite well.

Payson Fourth Ward: Exterior Details

The arched portion of the windows have some stained glass that is still present in the building. We'll take a closer look at that in another post. The details in the tower (with some additions) and moldings have been well preserved.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

Payson Fourth Ward

Built in 1910, the Payson Fourth Ward isn't the oldest LDS chapel in the city (that goes to the Payson Second Ward), but it is the most grand, with a tall, unique tower. 

(Image Source: Church History Library)

In 1983, the building was sold to the Catholic Church, and it continues to serve in that capacity.

Clinton Ward

The historic chapel in Clinton, built in 1910, is probably the earliest example of prairie architecture that can be found in the Mormon Church.

(Image Source: Church History Library) 

The building was sold to the city of Clinton in 1977. It's changed ownership a few times. In 1992, it was purchased by an enthusiast who restored a lot of the building and used it as a reception center. Currently, it is vacant and for sale.

Blackfoot Tabernacle

Built in 1920, the Blackfoot Tabernacle was modeled after the Montpelier Tabernacle

(Image Source: University of Utah)

Montpelier Tabernacle

Obviously, they share the same semi-circle floor plan. All told, the Montpelier Tabernacle's style is more impressive than that of its counterpart in Blackfoot.

This tabernacle was sold in 1976 to Bingham County, who used it as an annex for their courthouse. In 2002 the building was to be sold at an auction. Perry Hawker purchased the building and converted it into a funeral home, while sensitively preserving the building's exterior features.

Wilson Ward (Ogden)

The Wilson Ward, located just west of the freeway near Ogden, was built in 1885. It had an addition built about 20 years later, and now it serves as private residences (it looks like there are several units).

Fortunately, the main chapel doesn't look like it has been subdivided.

Salt Lake 28th Ward

The Salt Lake 28th Ward chapel, built in 1902, matches the same floor plan of many of the chapels built at that time. It has a oval-shaped cultural hall in the back which sets it apart, but that was built later.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The building now serves as a group home.