Pine Valley Branch: Classrooms and Prayer Room

On the lower floor of the chapel is a classroom that can be used as chapel overflow, if needed. The pews here are not original, but were taken from the Beaver Ward chapel during a remodel.

At the front of the classroom is access to a small room that functions as the Relief Society Room. From here, a small staircase can be taken up to the chapel itself.

From the rostrum of the chapel, another small, narrow staircase takes you up to the prayer room on the top floor. This was only accessible by ladder until 1966. Tours mentioned that teachers would hold prayer meetings here prior to teaching their classes. Local leaders may have also held prayer circles in this room.

They have also added access from this room into the attic, so that visitors can see the curved beams that were used to build the ceiling of the chapel, in the manner of a ship's hull.

Pine Valley Branch: Chapel Interior

Because of the sheer amount of visitors that were coming through this chapel (at 10 AM on a weekday), I wasn't able to get very good pictures. This building is fairly well documented, though.

The sacrament table and pulpit were added to the chapel during its 2004-2005 restoration.

Pine Valley Branch

The Pine Valley Branch chapel, despite its rural location, is probably one of the more well-known chapels in LDS Architecture. Pine Valley was discovered in 1855 by Isaac Riddle and William Hamblin, whose cow had meandered into the valley during the night. It immediately became an important source of lumber for the Mormon corridor, even being used to construct the pipes of the organ in the Salt Lake tabernacle.

It is a beautiful location, higher in elevation and providing the waters of the Santa Clara River that weaves its way to the Virgin River. By the 1860s, a group of settlers was already there, and they selected Ebenezer Bryce to design a chapel. A shipbuilder, he designed the roof of the chapel to be built like the bottom of a ship--just inverted.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The Pine Valley Chapel was completed by 1867, and it now claims to be the "oldest continuously used" Latter-day Saint chapel in use. (The meaning of this term is unclear. The Bountiful Tabernacle was built in 1863, although perhaps they differentiate it based on the term 'tabernacle,' although it was and is still used for ward meetings.)

Sevier Ward: Exterior Details

Some of the windows have some cracks and need maintenance. The architectural details on this building are lovely!

It has significantly faded, but you can still see the original patterns in the stonework, when you get up close.

Sevier Ward

Built in 1930, the Sevier Ward Church (originally known as the Cove Ward) is unique for its use of local stone.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

As you can see, there were some lovely stone patterns incorporated into the structure. This was mostly lost when the entire building was painted white in 1947. Now, much of it has faded, but you can still see trace of the original pattern today.

The community dwindled, and in 1949 the Sevier Ward was discontinued. It was still used for local Church and community events until it was sold in 1973. It is still held privately today, but it looks fairly well maintained, considering the remote location.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Richfield (Sevier Stake) Tabernacle

The original Sevier Stake Tabernacle (in Richfield, Utah) was a stunning piece of architecture. It was completed around the turn of the century.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

Unfortunately, the tabernacle really didn't last long. It was seismically unstable, and Richard Jackson noted that during a meeting in 1912, a large piece of the ceiling fell, creating a panic in the congregation. The tabernacle was torn down soon afterward. In its place, in 1930, came the new tabernacle.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

It still stands today.

The majority of the building is a larger version of the red brick Colonial Revival style that was used in many LDS chapels of the period.

However, what really sets the building apart is its front entrance--with grand staircases, greek columns, and leaded glass.

I'm glad to see that this building is still being used!

Junction (Utah) Ward

The rather simple (yet gothic in nature) Junction Ward chapel was likely built around the turn of the century. This is one building I haven't been able to find many details on. 

The building is now privately owned. It looks like it's used more for storage.

The good news is that it appears to be actively cared for. This picture was taken by another blogger about a year ago. You'll see some changes in that time--the new paint job, work on the doors, etc.

(Image Source)