Idaho Falls Fourth Ward: Interior & Mural

Most records show that the Idaho Falls 4th Ward was completed in 1937. However, space was left at the front of the chapel for a mural, and Robert L. Shepherd, who was painting the mural in the Garden Room at the new Idaho Falls Temple at the time, was invited to create a mural for the ward. The result was a lovely mural depicting the parable of the ten virgins.

Image Source: Church History Library

When the building was sold in 1993, local officials asked Church headquarters if the mural could be moved to a nearby family history center. When asked what the parable of the Ten Virgins had to do with family history, the director responded that "five virgins were wise and had their family history completed and five didn't." The move was approved. The ceiling had to be raised in the family history center in order to accommodate the mural, and the painting itself had to be cut into 3 sections, transported over to the center, have its old glue removed (which took two weeks), be hung in the center, and then have the three sections blended to create one whole mural again.

The mural is still in the center and still in good condition. Only two years after its move, there was a question about whether the mural should be kept, but it was kept and appraised at $600,000. Lighting and a fan were installed to highlight and preserve the painting.

Idaho Falls Fourth Ward

This chapel was built in 1937 in the Tudor style, resulting in a steep-pitched roof.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

There are several things I like about the style of this chapel, and it's been fairly well preserved. However, it was sold to the Salvation Army in 1993, and continues to serve in that capacity.

The building had a nice mural that was saved and moved when the building was sold. We'll take a look at that in our next post.

College Ward (Cache Valley)

 Maybe it's because LDS Architecture is my hobby, but sometimes I drive past a building and just get a gut feeling that it's Mormon-related. That was the case with the College Ward, just outside of Wellsville.

(Image Source: LDS Church History Library)

The building has been fairly well preserved, although it now hosts a private residence (and some sort of an auto mechanics business, I think). 

You never know what you might be driving by each day!

Alhambra Ward: Exterior Details

Alhambra Ward: Stained Glass Details

At the front is a wood plaque that says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Above it is this rose window.

This photo gives you an idea of the difference colors that shine through the window:

And this one gives you an idea of how many panes of glass there are:

When the building was first dedicated, it had a normal frosted glass window at the front. I interviewed a sister in the Alhambra Ward who explained that in the late 1930s, a young women's leader suggested that she (a young woman at the time) and her classmates raise money to put in a stained glass window. They sold Christmas cards, baked goods, and other items until they had enough money.

It's a lovely window.