Pioneer tabernacle Fifth dedicatory service since 1882
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MORGAN, UTAH
Elder Erroll S. Phippen, an Area Seventy, dedicated the historic Rock Church in the Morgan Utah Stake on Sunday, Oct. 26. It was the fifth dedicatory service for this old building, completed originally in 1882 as the Morgan Stake Tabernacle.
More than 800 people gathered for the recent dedication with many more listening by remote broadcast at a nearby stake center. Choirs of Primary children, Young Men and Young Women, Young Single Adults and a community choir participated in the dedicatory services.
Prior to the dedication, approximately 1,500 people from Morgan and neighboring communities toured the renovated building during an open house where many displays featured Church activities, as well as artwork of members of the community. Eleven musical groups performed in a Saturday evening community cultural arts program.
President John Taylor dedicated the original tabernacle, which was constructed of hard, blue limestone rock taken from a quarry above Como Springs and hauled a mile or more to the site. Workmen of the time used wheelbarrows to haul rock to the masons atop the wall. As the walls grew higher, strong men wheeled the heavy rocks to the top of the walls.
Much of the work on the building was donated. However, those who were compensated for their work were paid with farm produce and meat donated as tithing.
Tragedy struck on a Sunday morning in May 1893. The tabernacle caught fire while Sunday School was in session. Children were quickly gathered, the meeting was dismissed and everyone walked quietly out of the building. A bucket brigade was formed taking water from the ditch on Young Street. The roof and framework of the building were destroyed. Only a few seats and the organ were salvaged, along with the big rock walls that stood firmly in place.
Following reconstruction, President Joseph F. Smith rededicated the building in December 1901.
President Heber J. Grant rededicated the tabernacle in 1937 following a major renovation. The floor was raised and a basement excavated by members who used shovels and buckets to haul dirt from underneath the building to create additional classrooms, a furnace room and indoor restrooms.
Elder Marion D. Hanks of the Seventy rededicated the building in 1955 after further additions. Over the years, every president of the Church, from John Taylor to Gordon B. Hinckley, except two, has spoken from the pulpit of this historic building, either as president of the Church, or as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Church leaders in 2007 decided that the original rock structure should be preserved as a historical monument, and that a new building should be built around it. During the past 15 months, the community has watched the edifice rise.
President John Porter of the Morgan Utah Stake said, "We are very pleased that we were able to rebuild this historic edifice. This beautiful new building maintains a sense of our pioneer heritage and provides a wonderfully functional meetinghouse for our members and friends to be able to worship, learn and associate together. This chapel will serve members of the Church and community for many years to come."
The new 17,000-square-foot building, located at the main intersection of Morgan City, will continue to be a cornerstone of the community.
