Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall
The Provo Third Ward Chapel is a historic building located in Provo, Utah. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 2, 1979.[1]
Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall | |
Provo Third Ward Chapel | |
Location | 105 North 500 West Provo, Utah |
---|---|
Coordinates | 40°14′8″N 111°40′1″W |
Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
Built | 1903 |
Architect | Richard C. Watkins |
Architectural style | Prairie School, Gothic, Other |
NRHP reference No. | 79002518[1] |
Added to NRHP | April 2, 1979 |
Construction
Under the direction of Bishop Thomas N. Taylor, the Provo 3rd Ward chapel was completed in 1903, exemplifying one of the first English Parish Gothic churches in Utah.[2] The building was designed by architect Richard C. Watkins, native of Provo. The cornerstone was laid in a ceremony on April 25, 1901.[2] An adjoining amusement hall was built in 1913, and the entire interior was redone in the late 1930s under the direction of architect Fred L. Markham.
History
In 1901 the recently formed Provo Third Ward of the Utah Stake was responsible for the construction of a new chapel. Using primarily local materials and locally employed workers, Bishop Thomas N. Taylor, also the mayor of Provo, and his building committee composed of Arthur Dixon, Edgar Perry, and H. J. Maiben, undertook the project. The cost of the new building was $11,000 and it was completed in 1903. The chapel received an organ that had been used in the Provo Tabernacle in 1907.[3] The adjoining amusement hall was added in 1913, but only the top floor was finished at an additional cost of $15,000. In 1926 the lower floor of the amusement hall was completed for an additional $5,600. The Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall served not only as a chapel for worship, but also provided the Saints with a place to interact socially in forms of dance, musicals, sports, etc. During World War II the amusement hall was transformed to serve as army barracks for Army Specialized Training Units associated with Brigham Young University.[4]
Later use and ownership
The building was eventually vacated by the LDS Church in the year 1979 and sold. Subsequently, it has been used for various purposes including serving as the Ivy Tower dance club between 1989 and 1992. Other occupants included Scampi's restaurant and private academies. Since 1992 it has been owned and operated by the Discovery Academy a private school for troubled youth. The Provo 3rd Ward Chapel was designated to the historic Provo Landmark register on April 28, 1995.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[1][5]
Notes
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- 2002. "Historic Provo" Provo City Landmarks Commission.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-03-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/BYUPhotos/id/488
- Kathryn L. MacKay (June 1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall". National Park Service. and accompanying two photos from 1978
- National Park Service. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form." April 1995.