Blog/Preservation Update: Tucson Chapel Celebrates Anniversary

Note: Preservation Updates are a regularly occurring series of posts where I round up recent information on historic LDS buildings and their futures. Depending on the age of the post, there may be newer information available. Click here to see all Preservation Updates.
 
I wanted to begin this post by thanking the many readers who have come to this blog and shared their comments. The blog has grown in viewers more than I thought it would--it had more views in the past month alone than it did during its first 7 months.

I have also appreciated the various comments people have left on some posts, either adding to my knowledge or just expressing their feelings on the architecture posted. I'd like to encourage all readers to continue commenting on these posts. I always appreciate input, dialogue, and the sharing of ideas.

As far as a blog update goes, I am still working on a series of posts relating to the preservation and destruction of LDS Tabernacles. I have also gone back and updated some posts with more pictures as I've come across them, including pictures of the stained glass in the Murray First Ward and of the rooms in the Manti Temple. Additionally, while this blog was meant to focus on meetinghouse architecture instead of temple architecture, my posts on the Manti and St. George temples have become some of the most widely viewed, so I've created (and will shortly be posting) similar posts on the floor plans and interiors of the temples in Salt Lake and Logan.

Finally, there will be no new post on Thursday, because I will be on a short vacation. In the absence of a post, feel free to peruse the blog archives.

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The oldest chapel in Tucson recently had an open house to mark 105 years since the first congregation of the Church was organized in that city.

The chapel in question stands on Fort Lowell road. It looks beautiful, and may even have some colored/stained windows. Construction started in 1927, and it was dedicatd in 1936.

(Source: Church History Library)

(Source: Google Maps)

I'm glad to see that it continues to stand, and hope that it continues to be preserved in the future.

Kaysville Tabernacle: Chapel Interior

The interior of the Kaysville Tabernacle is bright, colorful, and warm, thanks to the beautiful stained glass windows that line both sides of the building.

The stained glass windows will be highlighted in an upcoming post. This is the view from the podium.

As you can see, there is a small balcony (very small, and probably for walking only; there are no benches there) and a cry room/overflow behind that balcony. It is accessed by two staircases in the foyer.

This is the view from the cry room. It's lower quality because of the glass, but it's still a beautiful sight.

Kaysville Tabernacle

Build from 1912-1914 and dedicated in 1914, the Kaysville Tabernacle is one of the most unique meetinghouses in all of the Church.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The building has had many additions, including classrooms, a cultural hall, and stake offices, but the tabernacle itself has remained relatively untouched in spite of these new buildings.

The interior has a balcony/cry room, stained glass, and other beautiful architecture. They will be shown in upcoming posts.

Murray Second Ward

The Murray 2nd Ward Chapel was built in 1906.

In 1977, it was sold to the Alano Club, an organization for recovering alcoholics and their families. It is now part of the National Register of Historic Places.

The building does show some signs of deterioration, so I hope it continues to be preserved. On a side note, the Murray First Ward building is visible from the Second Ward:

These two buildings dominated the landscape of Murray for much of the 20th century.

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?

Provo Fourth Ward: Window Detail