La Verkin Ward

La Verkin (some say this is a Native American term for "Beautiful Valley," others say it is likely a corrupted form of La Virgen for the nearby Virgin River) is a small community located off of I-15 northwest of St. George. Tucked away against the cliffs bordering the east side of town is a fascinating chapel. The most distinctive part of the building was started in 1925. It originally had the chapel and cultural hall upstairs in the one-room building, with a relief society room and classrooms in the basement.

Source: Church History Library

The building wasn't paid off and dedicated until 1955, over 30 years later. In 1962, a new chapel was built on the building's north side, and the original structure served as the cultural hall. There were new additions in the 1970s as well.

Source: La Verkin City

Unfortunately, in the 1980s, the Church found that the building was slumping, probably due to flood irrigation water. After some discussion, the building was sold to the city in 1993. There are some structural concerns with the building, but it still houses the police department and a few other city offices.

The structure has a modern style which is impressive considering the time in which it was built.

Those Who Have Gone Before: Meadow Ward

This series honors LDS Architecture that is no longer standing. To see all the posts in this series, click here.

In my studies on LDS architecture, I come across countless buildings that are no longer standing that are fairly obscure. I always wish I could find out more about those buildings. The chapel that used to stand in Meadow, Utah, is one of them.

Meadow is a small town in the Pahvant Valley, just south of Fillmore. Named for the creek which runs through town, it is now more well-known for the hot springs and lava tubes found in the fields to its west.

 Currently, the chapel is a typical 1980s standard plan.

Image Source: Google Maps

 However, the chapel that was there before was really quite nice. The plaque that was on the building indicates that it was built in 1884. I'm not sure if that's accurate or not, but it was really a nice chapel.

The inside was nice (if not well photographed), but the real centerpiece was the pulpit.

 Delicate wood carvings depict a handshake surrounded by roses and branches spelling out "Welcome" beneath.

The handshake is a common Christian symbol; it can also be found on the Salt Lake Temple and in a stained glass window in Coalville.However, this carving is very similar to the Meadow welcome sign, probably too close to be a coincidence. It's a lovely little local touch on what was already a beautiful church.

Image Source: Wikipedia

I've really wanted to run by the new Church building in Meadow, just to see if the pulpit (or anything else) was preserved. The exterior is not promising. If anyone has any information on this building, I'd love to know more.

Providence Ward: Exterior Details

Providence Ward

 Built from 1869 to 1873, the old Rock Church, in the center of Providence (just south of Logan), is a beautiful example of pioneer architecture. Originally just one large room that served as a chapel, cultural hall, and community center, it received additions over time.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The church was sold in 1968 and served a variety of functions, including a reception center, fabric store, and assisted living center. Currently, it serves as a bed and breakfast, as well as event center.

The shadows at the time of day I visited made it difficult to properly photograph the building, so I apologize.

In 2012, an article was posted that explained that the bed and breakfast was struggling. However, since the center is still running, I assumed it made it through the difficult economy of the time.

This is a gorgeous building, and I'm glad it's been preserved.

Huntington Park Ward: Cultural Hall

The cultural hall fulfills the normal criteria of having a large basketball court and a stage along one side. Along the east side of the hall (to the left in the picture below), there is a lobby connected to the hall that can be used for events as well.

One of the most unusual things about this cultural hall was the stained glass windows lining both sides of the hall.

The first one I saw looked like a normal window.

However, the remaining windows all have images relating to the arts, humanities, and culture. I thought this was a wonderful way to emphasize the purpose of the cultural hall and the activities that would take place there.

I'm not sure which this one is. A trophy? Perhaps representing competition, athletics, and victory?

This window shows instruments representing music:

This one shows a woman dancing:

I believe this one is of a torch, perhaps again emphasizing competition?

This one shows a lyre, again emphasizing music:

And this one shows masks, focusing on acting and drama.

I'm not sure I'll find another cultural hall quite like this one.

Huntington Park Ward: Stained Glass Details

Circular windows at the front of the chapel are just not common for the LDS Church, and this is the only one I'm aware of that is a rose window (with patterns that mimic the outward-facing petals of a rose). It is a beautiful window!

Other windows line both sides of the chapel.

I was also surprised by the stained glass windows I found in the cultural hall. I'll show those in my next post.

Huntington Park Ward: Interior

I posted last year about the Huntington Park Ward in California. Recently I was able to visit again to get some interior pictures, so that will be the focus of our next few posts.

This building was originally built as a stake tabernacle. Over time, members have moved out to the suburb cities of Los Angeles, and so this building now houses two wards--one English speaking, and one Spanish speaking. I was able to visit in the small window between the two wards.

(Image Source: Facebook)

I was able to take pictures of the stained glass in the chapel, but the Bishopric asked me to not take pictures of the chapel itself. I couldn't have really done it anyway because the chapel was packed in preparation for sacrament meeting. I was able to find the above photo online, though. I loved the stained glass windows lining the sides of the chapel and the beautiful rose window at the front. I haven't seen another chapel with a rose window like that. I'll post my detailed photos of the stained glass in the future.

The building itself had some wonderful features. It is built in the mission style and has some beautiful tile work, exposed beams, paintings, and windows. This is the photo of the Relief Society room:

The building is a large "U" shape. The chapel and relief society room are on the south side. The north side has classrooms, and the cultural hall connects the two different wings. In the middle is a large courtyard with beautiful trees and plants.

It's just a wonderful building! More posts to come!