Construction of the large Victorian Gothic style Smithfield Tabernacle began in 1883, was completed in 1902, and it was renovated in 1955. It was the primary place of worship for the LDS community in Smithfield for many decades and was financed and constructed by the local Smithfield LDS Ward congregation, an unusual undertaking for a small congregation because most LDS tabernacles were built by and for multiple congregations meeting in a larger Stake. The building was also important to the planning and development of Smithfield City through its use of public space, as this large edifice was constructed on the public square, typical of early Mormon settlements in the Great Basin region, to serve as the community center and establish a feeling of permanence. From the time of its construction, it was the largest building in Smithfield and the symbolic center of the community, and its distinctive yellow brick was manufactured locally in Smithfield. In addition to religious meetings, it hosted community gatherings including plays, concerts, graduation ceremonies, and political and agricultural meetings. When the local LDS congregation outgrew it in 1942 and the unused building was deteriorating, residents found a new purpose for it as a much-needed youth recreation center. It served as the only public recreation facility in Smithfield from 1955 until the construction of a new recreation center in 2000. Although some architectural details have been altered or removed, it still clearly reflects its original use as a place of worship while accommodating its more recent use as a recreation facility.