Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Bountiful Tabernacle


The Bountiful Tabernacle turned 150 last year (the above photo is from 1905).  Located at Main and Center Streets in Bountiful, Utah, the tabernacle was dedicated on March 14, 1863.  Construction on the Greek Revival structure began in 1857, but was interrupted briefly when President Buchanan sent Johnston's Army to the Utah territory.


This is how the tabernacle looks today, with the additional wings of a modern LDS chapel built around the original structure.  The spires atop the tower were designed to create a sun dial effect throughout the day.


The Bountiful Tabernacle is the oldest chapel in the LDS Church that has been in continual use since it was first dedicated.


The walls of the original structure are of adobe, the roof timbers are fastened with wodden pegs, and the lumber came from Meetinghouse Hollow in Holbrook Canyon.

The tabernacle serves as the stake center for the Bountiful, Utah Stake of the LDS Church, one of several in Utah's second city -- Bountiful was the site of the second settlement in Utah, after the settlement of Salt Lake City.