Santa Monica (CA) Ward: Stained Glass Details

This window was donated by Alfred W. McCune and his wife (a Utah resident who supported the Church). A similar window can be found in the nearby Redondo Beach Ward. Those are the only 2 examples of stained glass that I am aware of that depict this event.

The window is naturally lit. Since I visited in the morning, it wasn't as brightly lit, especially at the top. (The chapel faces west.) It was still lovely to view.

 

Santa Monica (CA) Ward: Interior

 This chapel has a beautiful setting. At the front is an art glass window depicting Joseph Smith receiving the gold plates from the Angel Moroni.

 

 At the back of the chapel is a large mural of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. The Salt Lake Temple rises above them.

The window and painting are too significant to not have their own posts, so keep an eye out for their highlights.

Santa Monica (CA) Ward

Originally known as the Ocean Park building, this meetinghouse in downtown Santa Monica was dedicated in 1922 by Heber J. Grant. (You can even see him in this picture, along with members of the ward.)

(Image Source: Church History Library)

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The building looks much different now; a renovation in the late 1950s completely changed the exterior. It was built in the mission style; I'm not sure what I'd call this style.

The good news is that they didn't move the art glass window, and many of the chapel's details remain intact.

The chapel had some additions built on in later years, creating an open courtyard that is common to many chapels in this area.

The plague that was originally on the exterior of the building is now on display in the lobby.

More pictures to come!

Midvale Second Ward

Built in 1928, this meetinghouse has some beautiful features. Unfortunately, some of the details have been lost over the years. The building is in an L shape, with the chapel in one wing and the cultural hall in the other.

Image Source: Church History Library

The building was sold at some point, and it now houses an evangelical church. The original stained glass windows, and details in the moldings at the front of the building and along the roof, have been removed and simplified.

The newer brick is apparent at the front of the building:

 Still, some details remain here and there.

I particularly like the dome over the main entrance.

Idaho Falls Fourth Ward: Interior & Mural

Most records show that the Idaho Falls 4th Ward was completed in 1937. However, space was left at the front of the chapel for a mural, and Robert L. Shepherd, who was painting the mural in the Garden Room at the new Idaho Falls Temple at the time, was invited to create a mural for the ward. The result was a lovely mural depicting the parable of the ten virgins.

Image Source: Church History Library

When the building was sold in 1993, local officials asked Church headquarters if the mural could be moved to a nearby family history center. When asked what the parable of the Ten Virgins had to do with family history, the director responded that "five virgins were wise and had their family history completed and five didn't." The move was approved. The ceiling had to be raised in the family history center in order to accommodate the mural, and the painting itself had to be cut into 3 sections, transported over to the center, have its old glue removed (which took two weeks), be hung in the center, and then have the three sections blended to create one whole mural again.

The mural is still in the center and still in good condition. Only two years after its move, there was a question about whether the mural should be kept, but it was kept and appraised at $600,000. Lighting and a fan were installed to highlight and preserve the painting.

Idaho Falls Fourth Ward

This chapel was built in 1937 in the Tudor style, resulting in a steep-pitched roof.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

There are several things I like about the style of this chapel, and it's been fairly well preserved. However, it was sold to the Salvation Army in 1993, and continues to serve in that capacity.

The building had a nice mural that was saved and moved when the building was sold. We'll take a look at that in our next post.

College Ward (Cache Valley)

 Maybe it's because LDS Architecture is my hobby, but sometimes I drive past a building and just get a gut feeling that it's Mormon-related. That was the case with the College Ward, just outside of Wellsville.

(Image Source: LDS Church History Library)

The building has been fairly well preserved, although it now hosts a private residence (and some sort of an auto mechanics business, I think). 

You never know what you might be driving by each day!