Provo Tabernacle facts for kids
The Provo Tabernacle was a special building for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in downtown Provo, Utah. It was used from 1898 until 2010. This building was a famous landmark in Provo and hosted many religious and cultural events. Sadly, a fire in December 2010 destroyed most of the building, leaving only the outer walls. The LDS Church decided to save these walls and rebuild the inside. It became the Provo City Center Temple, which was finished in 2016.
Quick facts for kids |
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Provo Tabernacle
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The Provo Tabernacle in 2009
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 50 S. University Ave., Provo, Utah |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1883 |
| Architect | William H. Folsom |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001830 |
| Added to NRHP | September 9, 1975 |
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
The First Provo Tabernacle
Before the famous Provo Tabernacle, there was an older, smaller one. People sometimes called it the Old Provo Tabernacle. It stood from 1861 to 1919 on the same block. This first building faced Center Street.
Building the First Tabernacle
Plans for the first tabernacle started in 1852. However, construction didn't begin until 1856. Some local conflicts slowed down the building process. The inside woodwork was done by Thomas Allman and John Watkins.
Features of the Old Building
The first tabernacle could seat about 1,100 people. More chairs could be added in the aisles for larger crowds. It had a single tower on the north side, which was 80 feet tall. This tower held a large 500-pound bell. The building was mostly finished by 1861. It was officially dedicated in 1867.
Discoveries from the Past
The original Provo tabernacle was taken down between 1918 and 1919. In 2012, archaeologists from Brigham Young University (BYU) found the old foundation. They discovered many coins, trinkets, and other small items. These had fallen through the floorboards over the years. The stones from the foundation were later given to Provo City.
Building the Second Tabernacle
Construction for the second and larger Provo Tabernacle began in 1883. This building is also known as the Utah Stake Tabernacle. The LDS Church built it to hold more people than the first one. Harvey H. Cluff was in charge of its construction.
Design and Capacity
The new tabernacle was designed by William Folsom. It was much bigger, with space for 3,000 people in its main area and balconies. The building was ready for use by 1886. It even hosted a large church meeting called general conference that year.
Dedication and Features
The tabernacle was officially dedicated on April 17, 1898. Important church leaders like George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith were there. In 1907, a large organ was installed. It had 36 sets of pipes and three keyboards. Later, in 1917, the small dome on the roof was removed. This was done because the roof was starting to sag.
Updates Over Time
In 1964, the tabernacle was updated. Much of the inside was painted white. The electrical and heating systems were also made more modern.
A Center for Community Events
The Provo Tabernacle was a very important place for the community. It hosted many concerts, church meetings, and other local events.
Famous Visitors and Performers
Many famous people visited or performed at the tabernacle. In 1891, a well-known singer named Madame Abbie Carrington performed there. On September 1, 1909, a U.S. President, William H. Taft, visited and gave a speech. In the 1930s, BYU used the tabernacle for special university programs. A very famous composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff, performed a concert there in 1938.
Important Gatherings
The tabernacle was also used for the funerals of important people from Provo. In 1975, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it was recognized as a historically important building.
The Fire of 2010
On December 17, 2010, a big fire broke out at the tabernacle. Firefighters arrived early in the morning to find smoke. They tried to save the roof and the building's outer structure. However, around 6:00 AM, the roof collapsed. The fire continued to burn for the rest of the day.
What Caused the Fire?
After a long investigation, the Provo City Fire Department shared their findings. They believed the fire most likely started because a hot lamp was placed too close to some wood. This lamp was being used for rehearsals of a musical show. The report also noted that the building did not have a modern fire sprinkler system. There were also some human errors, like not telling authorities about strange smells earlier.
What Was Lost?
Many valuable items were destroyed in the fire. The large Austin pipe organ was lost. A very expensive grand piano and a concert harp were also ruined. Even some TV equipment from KBYU was lost.
Surviving Artworks
Interestingly, a large painting of Jesus Christ partly survived the fire. It was a print called The Second Coming. While parts of it were burned, the main figure of Jesus was mostly intact. This print was later removed for preservation.
Another important painting was by Minerva Teichert, from 1934. It was called Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Sadly, this painting was almost completely destroyed by the fire. Only small pieces remained.
A New Beginning: The Temple
On October 1, 2011, the president of the LDS Church, Thomas S. Monson, announced exciting news. The Provo Tabernacle would be rebuilt! It would become a new temple in Provo. This made Provo the second city in the LDS Church to have two temples. The first was South Jordan, Utah.
Rebuilding the Tabernacle
The plan was to completely restore the outside of the building to look like the original. This included adding back the central tower. During construction, the outer walls were supported by scaffolding. Workers then dug two new basement levels beneath the building.
Opening the New Temple
A public open house was held from January 15 to March 5, 2016. During this time, over 800,000 people visited the new temple. The temple was officially dedicated on Sunday, March 20, 2016. It now serves as a beautiful and sacred place for church members.
Images for kids
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The Provo Tabernacle in 2009
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Provo Tabernacle gutted by fire on 17 December 2010
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Provo Tabernacle under restoration to become the Provo City Center Temple (May 2015).
