Coalville Tabernacle: Stained Glass Detail & Preservation

I have already done posts on the former Coalville Tabernacle and the chapel that replaced it and houses its paintings and stained glass. After my first visit I learned that the window at the front of the chapel has backlighting, and so I made another visit to properly photograph it.

This window is lovely, with cool green colors that contrast with the other windows.

A dove with an olive leaf is at the top of the window.

While there, I checked on the other windows and talked with some local members. The Church is taking good care of these historic artifacts--the paintings of the prophets were removed a couple of years ago for some cleaning and preservation efforts and then replaced. Now, the Church is working on the stained glass windows, taking them down one at a time to do repair and preservation efforts before replacing them. The south window was gone when I visited.

Finally, last time I visited, there were curtains on the sides of the stained glass windows; now, they have a bar at the top and a shade that comes down. The only issue is the bar blocks the top of the windows from being viewed properly, but it's a minor quibble. These stained glass windows are among the oldest in the Church, and I'm very happy to see that the Church is taking good care of them and keeping them in this chapel for local saints to enjoy.

Coalville Stake Center: Stained Glass

There are 3 main stained glass windows that graced the Coalville Tabernacle. Here are some pictures of where they were previously:

(Image Source: Church History Library)

(Image Source: Church History Library)

And here are the pictures of the 3 windows as they appear now:

You'll notice that this window is darker--there is a tree right outside the window.

One of the windows has an open book on the top. This brings to mind the scriptures, the teachings of the gospel, and the importance of study and learning.

Opposite that window is a depiction of the handshake, suggesting the importance of covenants, working with God, and working together.

The final one has a dove clutching an olive leaf, bringing to mind the concepts of peace and the Holy Ghost.

The windows are all stunning and add so much to the beauty of this chapel, and the tabernacle where they were located formerly.

Coalville Tabernacle: Paintings

These paintings were originally painted on the tabernacle's ceilings. When the tabernacle was taken down, they were carefully removed and are now placed on a wall of the chapel, visible from the stand.

Visible there are (from left to right) John Taylor, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, someone unknown, and Wilford Woodruff. I'm not sure who the unknown man is. Anyone want to fill me in?

Coalville Stake Center: Interior

 In case it wasn't clear from the pictures of the exterior, the original Coalville Tabernacle was incredibly detailed on the inside:

(Image Source: Church History Library)

These pictures are of the second floor of the tabernacle. Originally, the chapel was two stories tall; in the 1940s, they cut the chapel down to one floor and built a recreation hall above it. The paintings on the ceiling are of prophets--from Joseph Smith to Lorenzo Snow.

 (Image Source: Church History Library)

The current chapel, while less ornate, contains the three large stained glass windows. Two flank the sides of the pulpit and allow natural light to shine in; the other is behind the pulpit, but does not go to the exterior. The church generally avoids putting light behind the pulpit, as it can distract (or blind) viewers from seeing the speaker.

The paintings of the prophets were also taken from the original tabernacle and placed in the new chapel.

I'll provide some close-up views of the stained glass and pictures in my next post.

Coalville Stake Center

One of the most beautiful tabernacles of the church once stood in the small town of Coalville, in the mountains east of Salt Lake City.

(Image Source: Church History Library) 

(Image Source: Church History Library) 

In 1971, it was torn down amidst a great deal of controversy--lawsuits, protests, and more. In its place was built this new stake center:

The stake center contains a few elements from the original tabernacle; most notably, the 3 large stained glass windows. I will be posting pictures of these in my next post.

The only reminder of what once stood on the site is a small plaque on the stake center's steeple.