A few days, ago, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the Washington D.C. Chapel has a proposal from a developer to be converted into luxury apartments. (Kind of sounds like the University Ward chapel's unfortunate outcome.)
Built 1931-33, the building was distinctly Latter-day Saint. The marble is birds-eye marble from Utah. An Angel Moroni (now in the Church History Museum) was on the tower. A mosaic of the Sermon on the Mount is over the front door. Stained glass windows show LDS symbols, including sego lilies, the Hill Cumorah, Rocky Mountains, Church immigrants, and more.
The building was discontinued in 1975 and sold in 1977, eventually ending up in the hands of the Unification Church, which still owns it.
The developer's plan would add some additions that fit the building. All in all, I think it's a great idea. The building is not in spectacular shape and needs a major renovation. I guess I could always dream about the Church repurchasing the reusing the building, but that seems incredibly unlikely. We'll see if this one goes anywhere.
