Wellsville Tabernacle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wellsville Tabernacle
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The Wellsville Tabernacle in 2009
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 75 S. 100 E., Wellsville, Utah |
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| Built | 1902-1908 |
| Architect | C.T. Barrett |
| Architectural style | Victorian Eclectic |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003893 |
| Added to NRHP | November 26, 1980 |
The Wellsville Tabernacle is a beautiful old building in Wellsville, Utah. It was built in a style called Gothic Revival, which looks a bit like old European churches. This building was originally a meeting place for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 26, 1980. This list helps protect important historical places in the United States.
Building the Wellsville Tabernacle
Work on the Wellsville Tabernacle began in 1902. William H. Maughan, a local leader who had served the community for 40 years, started the project. In 1903, important leaders like Abraham O. Woodruff and Seymour B. Young helped lay the first stones, called cornerstones.
The building was made from strong materials. Workers used stone from a nearby place called Sardine Canyon. They also used red bricks to create its unique look. The tabernacle was officially finished and dedicated on June 28, 1908. Anthon H. Lund, a leader from the LDS Church's First Presidency, led the dedication ceremony.
The building was designed to hold many people. About 800 people could sit inside the tabernacle. Building it cost around $65,000, which was a lot of money back then! The inside of the tabernacle was special. Unlike most meetinghouses, its pulpit (where speakers stand) was in a corner. The seats were arranged in a half-circle facing it.
Changes Over Time
Like many old buildings, the Wellsville Tabernacle has changed over the years. In 1959, a fire sadly destroyed the main tower. The new tower that replaced it was built much shorter than the original. Also, in the 1950s, the original red bricks were painted white. This gave the building a different look than when it was first built.
What's Happening Now
In 1981, the tabernacle was sold to the city of Wellsville. However, the city found it hard to keep up with the building's needs. So, it was later sold to a group of people who cared about the building. This group is called the Wellsville Tabernacle Foundation.
Today, the foundation allows people to rent the building for different events. You can have weddings or other community gatherings there. For a while, part of the tabernacle even had a museum. This museum was run by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
Unfortunately, the tabernacle had some problems with its roof. Because of this, the building had to close in 2010. The Wellsville Tabernacle Foundation is now working hard to fix it. They are trying to raise $150,000 to pay for the repairs. Their goal is to reopen this historic building for everyone to enjoy again.
