Phoenix 2nd Ward Exterior

302 West Latham Street
Phoenix, AZ
Built 1932
Now Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Map Location of Building

seshat

Now Great Arizona Puppet Theater

Seriously? We had a building that beautiful and we sold it so it could be a puppet theater?

Well, I guess it sorta makes sense, since all LDS chapels are, in fact, puppet theaters to begin with.

March 23, 2011 at 7:37 am

Reply
- lds architecture
  
  It is definitely sad that the building was sold, but nice to see the building currently used and still standing. According to this site, the building was actually sold to the Arizona Dept of Transportation as part of the right-of-way when I-10 was being built. So it’s possible it was a forced land grab. Also according to the page, the freeway was redirected to save the building from being demolished. Not sure how true that is, but the north side of the building is directly adjacent to I-10.
  
  March 23, 2011 at 5:16 pm
  
  Reply
  - seshat
    
    It is definitely sad that the building was sold, but nice to see the building currently used and still standing.
    
    Absolutely. Setting aside the snarkiness of my first comment, it’s always wonderful when a beautiful LDS building escapes the heartbreaking fate of the Coalville Tabernacle. And I am very glad that the current owners value and are preserving the building’s beauty and character.
    
    March 23, 2011 at 6:01 pm