Sunday, October 1, 2017

Richfield First Ward

Built in 1906, the Richfield First Ward has some lovely architectural elements, especially its gothic windows (one of which is stained glass) and corner tower.

(Image Source: Church History Library)



The building to its east was probably built around the same time, if not a bit earlier. They are now connected with an addition.

(Image Source: Church History Library)
 The building was sold sometime around 1980. It now serves as a reception and events center called Knightsbridge Hall. It also houses a photography studio. In the future, we'll look more into the status of the stained glass in this chapel.

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful. I'm happy this chapel is still standing. The Gothic revival stain windows are exceptional. Very riminisant of both the 15th ward in Salt Lake City and the Spring City ward.

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    1. It's quite lovely, especially for this more remote location!

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  2. I grew up living in this Church my grandparents owned this church 4 years. They're in fact the ones who turned it into a bed & breakfast, reception center we use to hold karate classes & gymnastics classes in the gym. My name is CLINT O'BANNON GRANDSON TO RON & MARCIA NIELSEN I loved this part of my childhood it was any kids dream there own stage 2 play on there own gym 2 play in and all the coal you could shovel UNFORGETTABLE. TO SAY THE LEAST

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    1. Hi cousin. I lived in this church as well and our grandparents ran multiple businesses out of it. They definitely deserve the respect and gratitude for doing so, historical wise.

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  3. I received a detailed summary of this building from Richard Jackson (author of Places of worship : 150 years of Latter-day Saint architecture). The original building was the Relief Society Hall, dedicated in 1907. The meeting house was built next and dedicated in 1913. An addition was made to the Relief Society hall in order to use it as a full-fledged Cultural Hall (architect, Ashton & Evans). The two buildings were connected together in 1954 (architect, Cliff Evans). The building use was discontinued in 1979 and sold in May, 1982.

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    1. If you'd like additional history of this building, I can tell you more. It's on a personal level though. My grandparents raised me there. I know that building so well I still dream of it.

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    2. I am most interested in any information about the Relief Society hall addition (prior to 1954). If you have memories or documents, I'd sure be interested in seeing them.

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    3. By the way, for those interested in this building, the blueprints of the Ashton & Evans addition (prior to 1954) can be found at the University of Utah Marriott Library Special Collections. Ask for Tube 291 in the "unprocessed Ashton & Evans collection."

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