One of the purposes of this blog is to demonstrate that the LDS Church has a rich artistic and architectural heritage; or at least, a greater heritage than most members assume. One of the important ways (for me) to show that is by highlighting chapels (instead of more well-known temples, or even tabernacles). I like to even find those simple, non-assuming chapels that still contributed to Mormonism's cultural identity. One example of this is found in the old South Weber ward chapel.
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| (Image Source: Church History Library) |
It looks like a fairly typical chapel, likely built in the 1930s. But the chapel's real artistic gem was found in the chapel, where Ivan Cornia had painted a mural:
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| (Source: John D. Bell, South Weber: The Autobiography of One Utah Community, 459) |
His painting depicts the miracle of the seagulls eating the crickets. It's a unique and wonderful piece of artwork, but it didn't make it into the new ward chapel; it's rolled up and stored by a local member.
How many more gems like this are there to be found--before they disappear? Hopefully we can find as many as we can!
