Considering the immensity of the project, the 23-month plan to renovate the Tabernacle on Temple Square is on schedule and causing minimal disruption to the thousands who visit Temple Square each year.

Photo by Shaun Stahle

Crowds visiting Temple Square begin tour after meeting with sister missionaries. Many are unaware of construction work and enjoy tour with little disruption.

A protective construction wall has encompassed the Tabernacle since construction began in January 2005. In the last several weeks, construction crews have cleared a milestone in its completion by finishing the delicate and intricate task of shoring up pioneer handiwork with new steel supports, and by retrofitting pillars against earthquake damage.

The unique construction of the Tabernacle — visionary in its time with its giant elliptical arches supported by 44 buttresses or pillars — was well engineered to stand the forces of gravity. That the structure has served large general conference congregations since its completion in 1867 is a testament to its sound pioneer engineering and expert craftsmanship.

The problem, said David Hall, director of Project Construction Division for the Church, was that the tabernacle was engineered to withstand the downward forces of gravity, but not the lateral forces created by earthquakes, a condition of this area unknown to the pioneers at the time. The first phase of the renovation was to bind the tabernacle together as a cohesive unit — from dome to foundation — to prevent the dome from slipping off the pillar supports during an earthquake.

Steel structures were added to strengthen the lattice trusses and attach them more securely to the pillars. Reinforcement bar and deepened footings now anchor the stone pillars more firmly in the ground.

Spectators who pause to look through the observation windows located in the construction wall on the east side of the Tabernacle will notice workers installing scaffolding inside the dome in preparation for repairing and replastering the ceiling, another large component of the project.

"We want visitors to enter the Tabernacle and say, 'Looks nice, but I wonder what they did,' " said Brother Hall.

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Dramatic aerial view of Tabernacle dome shows worker scaling steep slope of roof. The 23-month construction process includes fortifying elliptical arches in roof and deepening footings of 44 surrounding buttresses.

The renovation will be true to President Gordon B. Hinckley's request that the historical authenticity of the pioneer structure be maintained.

"When all is said and done," said President Hinckley during a press briefing last year on Oct. 1, "it will be modern in its strength and capacity, but old and beautiful and original and natural in its appearance." Construction plans call for completion by Christmas 2006.

Tabernacle construction began in 1863 and was completed for use by the October general conference in 1867. It has been in continual use for general conferences since then, until completion of the Conference Center in 2000. It has undergone substantial changes over time to enhance safety and comfort and to take advantage of new technology.

Photo by Shaun Stahle

Visitor studies plaque detailing history.

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Less than a year into the project, the first phase of renovation of the Tabernacle on Temple Square has been completed. To strengthen the giant elliptical arches that create the dome, two towers spanning from the floor to ceiling were erected. Pioneer engineers and craftsmen built a sturdy building to withstand the forces of gravity. Improvements now strengthen the Tabernacle to withstand lateral earthquake forces.

E-mail to: shaun@desnews.com