Built in 1924, the University Ward, just to the west of the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, has several unique features I like. It was designed by Pope & Burton and has Art Deco elements along its exterior walls.
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| (Image Source: Church History Library) |
At the front of the chapel's exterior is a large tile mural of the Savior giving the Sermon on the Mount. The chapel interior also has some beautiful, unique elements.
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| (Image Source: Church History Library) |
I will have future posts soon that show the mural, decorative elements, and interior.
Where is University Ward?
ReplyDeleteIt's at 160 S University St in Salt Lake City, just to the west of the University of Utah Campus.
ReplyDeleteIs the this building still holding wards? On Meetinghouse Locator is shows the University Ward at 453 South 1100 East, SLC and this building with no wards.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love your work!
It appears you're right--no wards are meeting there at this time (or the online maps are inaccurate). Hope that doesn't threaten the building.
DeleteThe University of Utah has supposedly bought the building and will make a concert hall and offices for the Music Dept. This building, by the way, housed the original LDS Institue of Religion of the University of Utah The University Ward was split and the building also housed the Federal Heights ward before that ward had it's own building. The chapel has a fine Reuter pipe organ donated by the Firmage family. This building has so much history attached to it. I am sorry the LDS church decided to disband the ward it housed. I sincerely pray the University of Utah respects the architectual gem it has and does not modify it too much. Many famous people were connected to the building, LDS govenors of Utah, University of Utah faculty, tabernacle organists, General Authorities etc.
ReplyDeleteThere is another spectacular mosaic of Christ on the front of the Honolulu Tabernacle on Waikiki, fortunately that building is still in use, also by the same architect.
The University Ward building has been discarded by the LDS Church and purchased by a private developer out of Chicago who plans on turning it into residential housing and in 10 years tearing down the chapel for more housing. This building should be on the National Historic Registered for its historic character, its relationship to the developing University of Utah historic presidents circle. Its character must be preserved as a unique example of the LDS Church Architecture as it was main streaming into the culture in 1924.
ReplyDeleteThis is news to me; the last I'd heard, it was sold to the U. Do you have a source to back this up? This is really concerning if that's the case.
DeleteThere's no intention to raze the chapel. The building was sold subject to a covenant not to significantly alter the exterior, among other protections.
DeleteI'm calling BS on the anonymous comment about the developer out of Chicago. No developer is going to wait 10 years to demolish a chapel, that's ridiculous. There's a 2019 SL Tribune detailing the deal with the university. Just because they haven't started using it, doesn't mean it is not happening. It's considered a masterpiece and I doubt anyone, including the LDS church, wants it demolished.
DeleteI think the point of confusion is the fact that apparently, the building with the mosaic did once house the Institute. But it is true that the Institute building up the street, built in the 50's, IS in danger of being demolished by a developer who has said specifically that he wants to do so (along with several houses to the North), yes in order to build a massive apartment building. In fact it would require a zoning alteration; I don't know what the latest is on that.
DeleteI am deeply concerned that for three years we have heard nothing from the University of Utah about developing the University Ward Chapel as a concert hall and offices. It is not unreasonable that some back door deal has been done with a developer to turn it into apartments. That was done by a developer in Provo to an old chapel. It will be a tragedy if that happens with this chapel. The acoustics in the chapel are superb and will make and excellent small concert hall. This is an exquisite building now almost a 100 years old, designed by the leading architect of the LDS church of the time, Harold W Burton. To preserve this building is worth the fight.
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