Eighth Ward (Salt Lake): Artwork Detail

At the front of the chapel is the painting titled The Straight and Narrow Way, designed and donated by John M. Chamberlain, a choir director from the Eighth Ward who wrote the hymn, "We Are Marching on to Glory."

The painting itself was done by Otto Weiss in 1904, so it predates the building (built around 1920). I'm still trying to find out more information about Otto. The painting shows Christ leading the way on the straight and narrow path (which symbolically leads to Temple Square, as you can see below). Also pictured are those falling from the path, humble disciples who follow Christ, and some wandering off to a dark landscape in the back.

On the side of the chapel is a large painting of Daniel in the Lion's Den, done by W.C. Morris in 1886. William Morris was a well-known artist who participated in many projects, including doing the murals that used to grace the ceiling of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.

Eighth Ward (Salt Lake): Stained Glass Details

The windows lining the chapel are classic examples of the prairie style: architectural patterns with mostly horizontal and vertical lines.

The windows lining the chapel are identical.

As shown previously, the windows above the north entrance are all identical...

...except for one.

Eighth Ward (Salt Lake): Chapel Interior

Note: I originally documented the Salt Lake 8th Ward in 2015, but am updated the posts in this series with new, higher-quality pictures.

 

The chapel has stained glass windows along both sides, detailed moldings along the walls, and beautiful patterns the run the length of the ceiling.

 

 

 

At the front of the chapel, the rostrum has unique wood patterns, two pieces of artwork (which I'll dive into in another post), and a two-tiered sacrament table.

 

The back of the chapel has a small cry room in an enclosed balcony section.

 

Idaho Falls Fifth Ward: Interior

 I originally posted exterior photos of this building in 2018; now I got some interior photos. 

The carvings and moldings on the building's exterior continue into the chapel's space. Carved geometric shapes line the chapel walls--these are largely where windows used to be. (All of the windows were originally covered in renovations; two have been restored.) Carvings also run along the ceiling. On the stand are two small doors; one led to a closet, and the other led to a bishop's office (now used as a classroom).

The cultural hall has some details around the stage as well. In the 1990s, the building received a large addition behind the cultural hall that was sensitive to the building's original architecture.

Centerfield Ward

Centerfield is a town at the south end of Sanpete County. This chapel was built in 1887, with some later additions.

The local ward met here until 1951, and the city bought the building in 1978. They now rent it out for events, including receptions.

La Canada (CA) Ward: Interior & Stained Glass Detail

The chapel interior has wonderful Tudor elements--dark wood, exposed beams, an A-frame ceiling, and stained glass at the front.

The center pane is a stylized reproduction of The Light of the World, by Holman Hunt. (This same image was reproduced in stained glass for the Wilshire Ward in California.)

The panels on the left and right have several symbols--the largest being the Bible (depicted as Stick of Judah) and the Book of Mormon (Stick of Joseph). Beneath them are four smaller symbols--a dove (representing peace, Noah's covenant, and the Holy Ghost), keys (likely referring to the two Priesthoods), two gripping hands (a symbol of marriage, since in this depiction one hand is clearly female) and the all-seeing eye (representing God's omniscience and presence).

Stained glass is, of course, a rarity in LDS chapels, and the heavy use of symbols is even rarer. It's a lovely window, although we don't have any documentation on who designed it.

La Canada (CA) Ward

Today I'd like to highlight the La Cañada Ward in Southern California. Built in 1949-50, it was designed by Louis Thomas, a Swiss architect who moved to California in 1921 and designed over 20 other chapels in the area.

It's mostly done in the Tudor style, although the steeple doesn't really seem to match the building...even if it's always had one.

Fortunately, the building looks much the same. It's got some unique stained glass on the interior as well that I'll highlight next time.