St. George Tabernacle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. George Tabernacle
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Junction of Tabernacle and Main Sts., St. George, Utah |
|---|---|
| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Miles Romney |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000862 |
| Added to NRHP | May 14, 1971 |
The St. George Tabernacle is a very old and important building in St. George, Utah. It first opened its doors in 1876. This building was made to be a public place for the community. In the past, it was used for church meetings and even court cases. Today, anyone can visit the Tabernacle. It is still a busy place, hosting many public events like music concerts.
History of the Tabernacle
The town of St. George, in what was then Utah Territory, was a very important place for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church leaders wanted St. George to be a town where people could grow cotton. This would help the church members become self-sufficient, meaning they could provide for themselves.
However, the weather in this area, often called Utah's Dixie, was very dry. This made it hard to grow crops, and people faced tough economic times. To help the farmers and the community, Brigham Young, who was the President of the church, decided to build public buildings in the area.
The tabernacle was planned to be both a church and a courthouse. Money for the building came from church donations from nearby towns like Beaver and other places to the south. Building work started on June 1, 1863. The St. George Tabernacle officially opened on May 14, 1876. A special ceremony was held, and Brigham Young, Jr. was there.
Building Design and Features
Miles Romney, a member of the famous Romney family, designed the Tabernacle. The main clock and bell tower on the building stands about 140 feet (43 meters) tall. The walls in the basement are very thick, about 3 feet (0.9 meters) wide. The walls above ground are also strong, measuring 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) thick.
The building was made using red sandstone bricks. These bricks were chosen to match the beautiful red cliffs that surround St. George. Inside, the ceilings are very high, reaching 29 feet (8.8 meters). They have fancy decorations made of plaster of Paris. Twenty strong columns help hold up the ceiling.
A special viewing area, called a gallery, was built 10 feet (3 meters) above the ground. It runs along the north, south, and east walls. Two round staircases lead up to this gallery on the east side. In 1878, a large organ was added to the building.
Almost all the materials used to build the Tabernacle came from the local area. The only things that had to be brought from far away were the windows, which were shipped from Wilmington, California. When it was finished, the Tabernacle could seat 1,200 people. The clock tower was very useful for the people of St. George, as they used it to tell the time.
The Tabernacle Today
The St. George Tabernacle is still standing strong today. It is sometimes called the "jewel of the desert" because it is so beautiful and important in the dry landscape. In 1993, the building was carefully restored. This means it was repaired and made to look more like it did when it was first built.
The Tabernacle is open to everyone who wants to visit. It continues to be used for church services and many different local events, including public concerts for the community to enjoy.
