Cedar City Tabernacle

Cedar City Tabernacle was conceived in 1872 when Bishop Christopher J. Arthur suggested building it to replace the Social Hall. Mayhew Dalley drew plans for a 72 x 41-1/2 foot building with a tower 110 feet high, Edward J. Ashton of Salt Lake City served as architect, and Bengt Nelson was appointed director. Excavation began in 1872, but labor needed on the St. George Temple delayed construction until 1877. Built mostly of local materials, it used lumber cut in Deep Creek, bricks burned south of town, locally made shingles, and local plastering, with only the windows coming from elsewhere. The stone tablet inscribed "Holiness to the Lord" was placed in 1885, the same year the tabernacle was erected on the adjoining corner of Main and Center Streets. Its tower was topped by a ball and weather indicator, and its town clock was a gift from the city and ward. Conference was held in the unplastered building in 1887, and a gallery was added later. On December 20, 1931, the U.S. Government approved purchase of the ground for a post office, and after the last meeting was held there in 1932, the tabernacle was demolished that spring. As a community project, it served the people for forty-seven years.

Cedar City, Utah · United States