Ogden Lynne Ward Exterior
Located at the convergence of five roads that has been aptly named Five Points, this meetinghouse was built in 1914 and dedicated on September 5, 1915 by Apostle Reed Smoot. By 1931 the building was called the 15th Ward meetinghouse. Today it functions as a bank.
115 Washington Blvd
Ogden, UT
Built 1914
Address originally listed as 2 Harrisville Rd
Later called the Ogden 15th Ward
Sold and now Bank of Utah
Map Location of Building
Ogden Tour Handout #5
Right before this building we also visited the Ogden 19th Ward, which building is currently for sale, but I didn’t have a handout for that building.
Washington Terrace 4th and 6th Ward Meetinghouse
4760 S 200 E
Washington Terrace, UT
Built: 1959
Architect: Arthur Mueller
Ward Organized Oct 19, 1952. From 1953 to 1955 there were lots of dinners and activities held to help raise money for the building fund. Original building plans have a drawing date of 1959. In July-September 1963, work was done in the evenings and on Saturdays to prepare the grounds and chapel for dedication. Work accomplished included the painting of the Recreation hall, the addition of cloak racks in the lobby, the addition of cement walks, curbs and an outdoor patio.
Dec 8, 1963 the Bishop announced to the Priesthood that Church authorities had given approval to proceed with installation of simulated brick on the outside of the meetinghouse. Vote by the Priesthood was unanimous assent.
Feb 21, 1964 a Ward dinner was held in the Cultural hall to raise funds for the Chapel dedication. In July the Ward membership voted to get the chapel ready for dedication. Bishop presented the new Missionary Building program and the congregation sustained this method of completing the work necessary for dedication.
Mar 27, 1966 three men were approved by ward members to serve as committee in charge of beautifying the church building and grounds. In April thirty-four loads of top soil were smoothed out on the meetinghouse grounds in preparation for planting lawns, shrubs and trees. Two weeks later the landscaping and planting of the grounds was completed. In May a day was set for the dedication of the Meetinghouse – September 25th. Each Priesthood leader was urged to seek out and practice ways by which each ward member is oft reminded. The benches were removed, and the walls and ceilings of the classrooms were painted. By June the tile was replaced around the windows. Acoustical tile was added to the ceiling in the cultural hall. Bids were submitted to the General Church Offices for bricking of the meetinghouse. Each family was asked for a monetary contribution and a work assignment to be filled or payment made in lieu thereof.
In April 1967, new doors were installed at the east entrances of the meetinghouse. Plans for the new addition to the north front of the chapel were approved by the Church building committee. Several Saturday work parties were held in May at the chapel by Elders quorum. They met at 7:00am and the Relief Society served dinner at noon. July saw a Donation to the Building Fund of $150 made by the Aaronic Priesthood boys. They had earned the money in a book sale.
Throughout the summer and fall of 1967 the Ward had been occupied in the business of rebuilding the meetinghouse to get it ready for dedication at the first of the year. Much has been done and the work is continuing. The land and most of the outside work is accomplished and it begins to look as if we may be able to get it done.
During the year 1967 the ward worked hard to raise the money, and do the necessary work to get the Church house dedicated. It was a hard and sometimes disappointing job, but they still hoped to get it finished before another year.
In May 1968 a Ward supper was held to stimulate interest in the Building project. By November a Special meeting of all ward officers and teachers was held after a day of fasting. The purpose was to put effort to work on the fund raising program. During the year of 1968 there were 2509 hours of donated labor put on the project of renovation of the building by members of the 4th Ward. This work was done mostly on Saturdays with some evening work.
During August 1969 the Relief Society held a cake walk and the Elders quorum a merry-go-round and dunking machine. Earnings went to the Building program.
May 24, 1970 Dedication Service for Washington Terrace 1st and 4th Ward Chapel convened at 1:00pm in the newly renovated chapel with Elder Howard W. Hunter. 503 people were present. Bishop Robert Tucker of the 1st Ward spoke of his pleasure and satisfaction of having the building in its present beautiful condition recalling that some six years ago, Bishop Brown had compared it to an abandoned warehouse. Bishop Boyd G. Coombs of the 4th Ward said this was the happiest day of his life.
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Ogden Tour Handout #4
Ogden 21st Ward Meetinghouse
Built: 1943
Architect: Leslie Hodgson
Addition 1963 by Lawrence D Olpin
Vacant 2005
Almost razed in 2006, but sold
Now Iglesia Cristiana Rios de Agua Viva church and community center
Ward organized Nov 21, 1930. First met in a house that served as a seminary building. After two months, the ward cleaned up an entertainment and dance hall called the ‘Old Barn’, a 32×65 foot frame building built in 1894, and met here for 3 ½ years.
With a $50,000 budget, the architecture firm of Hodgson & McClenahan was hired in 1931 to draw plans for a site on Jefferson and 10th. (This firm also designed the Ogden High School and Ogden Municipal building, buildings that were also in the Art Deco style.) The site was 165’ frontage and 185’ depth. A Sunday School program was set up where everyone could buy a ‘gold brick’ for 5 cents that was made of gold construction paper with ‘5 cents’ written on it.
In June 1933 the basement of the Recreation hall began construction. Ward members could work if they had little cash to contribute. During the Great Depression, half of the ward was out of work. Bricks were used from the demolished ‘Virginia Building’ as the inside layer of brick for the walls. A great deal of time was spent hauling the bricks to the site and cleaning off the old mortar.
Although far from complete, in August of 1934 the first meeting was held in the Recreation hall. By July 1940, enough funds had been raised to construct the entire front unit consisting of the Chapel, kitchen and scout room. Concrete pours for the foundation of this front unit were done in three night shifts: the High Priests & Aaronic Priesthood had the first shift, the Elders the second shift, and the 70’s the third shift. The second shift finished about 4:00am and the third shift wrapped up about 7:30am.
After twelve years of work a second bishop was called who vigorously pushed the building project to a conclusion. By 1945, after fourteen long years to build and thousands of hours of toil at night, and with a membership twice the size of the when they started, the building was ready for dedication.
Dedication April 15, 1945 by President David O. Mckay in two sessions who said, “These saints have built well, they have denied themselves of any conveniences, and have denied themselves of many of the necessities of life to build this house of worship in which to come to worship thee.”
“May this building become more sacred and hallowed to them [our children] as the years go by, not only because it is a House of the Lord but, also, because it has been touched by the hands of their fathers.” – Bishop Baird
By 1963 there were two growing wards using the building and more room was needed so plans were made to add to the building. In Jun 1964 ground was broken. The Recreation hall was made into a Junior Sunday school room with adjacent classrooms. New restrooms, shower rooms and a library were added as was a new heating plant with air conditioning. The new wing included a larger Cultural hall, a new kitchen, Relief Society room and additional classrooms. The Bishop had the front benches in the Chapel lowered so short people could have their feet reach the floor and be more comfortable during long sacrament meetings. An adjacent site was purchased for more parking and a new entrance to the building was created.
Ward members assisted in construction and were called on work missions. By Feb 1967 the building was completely finished and all paid for. The dedication was held in April with Elder Sterling W. Sill. In May a celebration dinner was held in honor of finishing the building and being out of debt. Additional remodeling of various rooms took place through the 1970’s and 1980’s, including having the building brought up to earthquake standards. The last of these occurred in 1995 when the Chapel benches were padded and upholstered.
In 2003, the Church dispersed the members that had been attending services at that meetinghouse to other meetinghouses in the area and used the building as a college ward. The college ward stopped using the building about 2005 and the building was then used as storage for a couple of years. Although the members who were dispersed in 2003 were told that they would likely be able to attend services in the building again, in late 2006 the church announced it would be razing the building as it was deemed an “unnecessary expense.” Church members and preservationists protested and ultimately the church decided to spare the building and sell it. Now the building is used as a church and community center called Iglesia Cristiana Rios de Agua Viva.
“This building is a fitting and lasting monument to the integrity, perseverance, and faithfulness of saints who, through their sacrifice, have made it possible. May this building serve us and future generations as a House of the Lord wherein peace, love and true brotherhood may abide and from which the saints may take into their lives these sacred and divine attributes to the end.” – Bishop I.L. Richards, first bishop of the ward
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Ogden Tour Handout #3
Ogden 13th Ward Meetinghouse
1000 23rd Street
Ogden, UT
Built: 1922
Architect: Leslie Hodgson
Vacant 1974
Sold 1975 to Primera Mission Bautista church
Vacant 1980
Currently owned by the Christian Assembly church
Ward organized Dec 31, 1916. After the organization of the ward the Saints of the Ogden 13th Ward met for worship with the Saints of the Ogden 6th Ward until June, 1917, and in the meantime, the Saints, by advice of the First Presidency of the Church, proceeded to build a temporary meetinghouse, which was done at considerable expense and labor. At that time, that labor commanded high war prices. The erection of the house was commenced June 26, 1917 and construction proceeded quickly so that the first meeting was held a month later, on July 22nd. This temporary wood-frame building was dedicated by President Anthon H. Lund on Dec 30, 1917. Standing just east of the present modern meetinghouse, the building was sold and removed in 1921.
As the 13th Ward grew it was deemed necessary for the ward to erect a new and better meetinghouse than the one erected in 1917. A committee was appointed for the purpose of constructing a modern building in Sep 1919 when the plans were completed, and the work of construction went on rapidly. The cornerstone of the building was laid on April 19, 1920 by Apostle George F Richards. The building was completed at a cost of $58,000 and was dedicated Dec 31, 1922 by President Heber J. Grant.
President Heber J Grant offered the dedicatory prayer at the dedication services of the Thirteenth ward chapel Sunday afternoon. Apostle George Albert Smith was one of the principal speakers. Bishop J Howard Jenkins conducted the service, which was attended by more than 400 adult members of the ward and a number of special invited visitors. The service was for members of the ward only.
The new chapel occupies an elevated site at Twenty third street and Jackson avenue. It is the most beautiful building owned by the Latter Day Saints in Ogden and conceded by the church authorities to be one of the most beautiful in any of the wards of the church. The exterior is of dull red brick with white stone facings. The interior includes a chapel with a seating capacity for 500 people. The furniture and woodwork is oak. The windows are of stained glass. The pulpit stand is on the north end of the chapel with the choir seats immediately below. A feature of the chapel is the balconies on the east and west sides, the floor being raised two feet above the center of the chapel to allow the placing of two heavy steel girders. The chapel was beautifully decorated with potted ferns, cut flowers, and Christmas wreaths.
In the basement is a large amusement hall with a stage, the baptismal font, one of the most modern in the city, is in the south end of the basement. A motion picture machine room is immediately above the font room. A large stage, kitchen and a class room is also included in the basement. On the main floor, besides the main auditorium, is a Bishop’s room and two classrooms. On the third floor there are three classrooms and a prayer circle room. Also in the building there is a fire-proof vault, a library and a drinking fountain.
President Grant said he congratulated the members of the ward most heartily for the accomplishment of their splendid structure. He always rejoiced when people built beautiful church buildings, he said. Some people, he said, liked to live in beautiful homes, but were slow to contribute to the erection of places of worship. He had observed that poor people donate more for the erection of churches than those of greater wealth.
Apostle Smith said “There are not many wards in the church that have as beautiful, comfortable and serviceable building as the one we are now in.” (Ogden Standard 01 Jan 1923)
In Nov 1932, a turkey dinner was held in the Recreation hall to raise money to buy coal for the winter. Tickets were 35 cents, 300 people were served, and $50.65 was raised. In Mar 1938 a dancing party was held to assist in the ward maintenance and to pay for brass kick-plates placed on the outside oak doors. Remodeling of the baptismal font was also done.
High velocity winds struck in Oct 1953 damaging the roof of the chapel and blowing out two windows on the east side of the chapel at a cost of $59.60.
In 1958 the ward was divided, but by 1970 the two wards were planning details to merge auxiliaries such as the youth MIA programs.
On May 23, 1971 it was announced by the bishopric that the 13th, 20th, and 31st wards will be combined and build a new three-ward chapel. A presentation was made in Priesthood meeting showing the site and layout of the plan of the proposed building. In June a potluck dinner was held to raise funds for the new building.
The ward continued to meet in the building until 1973, and by 1974 the building was vacant. The building was sold in 1975 to the Primera Mission Bautista church. However, the building was again vacant in 1980. Currently the building is in use by the Christian Assembly church.
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Ogden Tour Handout #2
*A huge thanks to dstringham for a large portion of this research and for the photo of the chapel interior.
Ogden Deaf Branch Meetinghouse
740 E 21st Street
Ogden, UT
Built: 1916
Architect: Leslie Hodgson
Cultural Hall addition: 1949
Architect: Lawrence D Olpin
The Ogden Deaf Branch (formerly the “L.D.S. Branch for the Deaf,” which it was called until the 1940s and is still on the identification plaque on the front wall of the building, lower left) met in this building until January 1999. Petition was made to the First Presidency in 1911/1912 to construct the building at a cost of $15,000; well-known Prairie School architect Leslie Hodgson was contracted to design the building.
Construction on the building began in 1915 following the First Presidency’s approval in January and was completed in December 1916/January 1917. The building was dedicated 14 January 1917 by President Joseph F. Smith and attended by Anthon H. Lund and several Church apostles. On 4 February 1917, the L.D.S. Branch for the Deaf was organized under the direction of President Thomas B. Evans of the Ogden Stake with Max W. Woodbury, a teacher at the Utah School for the Deaf and the superintended of the Deaf Sunday School, as its first branch president. President Woodbury served for fifty-one years, the longest serving branch president in the history of the Church.
The rostrum and elevation of the chapel are uniquely designed to leverage the visual needs of Deaf congregants. The floor is sloped to allow successive rows to see the speaker and the pulpit is situated in the middle of the rostrum with seating to the sides (but not behind) of the pulpit to enable leaders to view the signing of speakers. The basement classrooms were all designed to have light switches both inside (to control interior lighting) and outside (to signal students) of the rooms.
The building is located a block and half southwest of the (old) campus of the Utah School for the Deaf. When the School relocated to Ogden in 1896, Deaf students and local Deaf parishioners attended Sunday School services in the Ogden Fourth Ward gymnasium—rain, shine, and cold—until 1917. Plans for an addition to extend the Deaf Branch building to the north were accepted in February 1948 at a cost of $26,500, ground broken in October 1949, completed sometime in Autumn 1950, and dedicated by Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards on 9 Dec 1951.
To maintain religious education for its deaf members, an addition is being constructed on the chapel for the deaf branch in Ogden. Brick work is now near completion on the $30,000 project which will include an amusement hall, stage, kitchen, banquet hall, Relief Society room, officer’s room, and rest rooms. Improvements will also be made in the original structure. Actual work began in October. (07 Dec 1949 Deseret News)
The Church has provided religious facilities for its deaf members in Ogden since 1896 when they began Sunday School services. These meetings were held in the Old Fourth Ward chapel. They continued to conduct meeting there until 1916 when the building they now use was erected.
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Ogden Tour Handout #1
This was the first building we visited on the tour and also the oldest meetinghouse still standing in Ogden. The tour actually mostly went from oldest to newest. By a completely random fluke I stumbled upon the owners of this building in Layton so we were able to get inside and see the building. I’m excited they are going to renovate – it’s a great building and a great location. I’ll post interior pictures I took shortly.
Ogden 6th Ward Meetinghouse
682 23rd Street
Ogden, UT
Built: 1910
Architect: S. T. Whitaker
Cultural Hall added 1930
Vacant in 1981
1987-2008 – Assembly of God
Soon to be renovated into a wedding reception center.
Ward organized on Sep 20, 1908. Cornerstone for the building was laid May 14, 1909.
This handsome house of worship was opened for religious services on Sunday, Jan 9, 1910, the auditorium being filled to its capacity on the occasion. The building is admirably adapted for all ward purposes, the Sunday school, priesthood and auxiliary organizations being conveniently provided for. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 400. The seven class rooms, located in the lower story, have a capacity of 700. Besides the auditorium, the first floor contains the library, bishop’s office and choir niche, and a suite of private rooms. The site upon which the building stands cost $2,500, and the building with appurtenances $20,000. The structure was designed and built under the direction of S. T. Whitaker, architect. (15 Jan 1910 Deseret News)
March 1930 the ward was busy erecting an addition to the meetinghouse intended for a Recreation hall. The building at this time was nearly completed, containing five classrooms, Relief Society room with kitchen, cloak rooms, dressing rooms, etc. The new building cost $60,000 including a number of improvements and a general renovation of the chapel.
Sep 20, 1936 Started on the renovation of the ward chapel and the completion of the Recreation hall. In December, President Heber J. Grant dedicated the Recreation hall during the noon recess of the ward conference.
Mar 29, 1957 Plans to remodel the 6th ward chapel have been estimated and a fund drive was held. $1000 was collected. Remodeling was started in May.
Dec 1962 A new landing between the amusement hall and the outside was poured.
Feb 1963 The building sustained some damage during a windstorm. There were some bricks on the chimney that fell and the door in from the east side of the building was wrenched from its hinges. Damage was repaired during the next week.
Oct 1966 Repairs and decoration of the cultural hall began and were completed in December.
Nov 6, 1966 Lightning struck a transformer near the west side of the meetinghouse causing high voltage to enter the building. Utah Power and Light technicians failed to reason why the building did not catch fire. A specific mention of the building to be protected from fire was found in the Dedicatory prayer by Apostle James E. Talmage in 1910. Also in November, the Remodeling of the Junior Sunday School Rooms per instruction of the Church Youth Guidance Committee is progressing nicely and should be completed by January.
Mar 1967 Southeast basement corner of building is remodeled into special rooms and reception center for Youth Counseling and Instruction, which is a new program of the Church in conjunction with the Relief Society.
Mar 1972 Fund raising dinner held for building repairs. New ceilings and lights in hall and Relief Society room downstairs were installed in April.
By 1981 the building was vacant and remained empty until 1987 when it was purchased and used as an Assembly of God church. Various denominations used it until 2008 when it again became vacant. Plans by current owners are to remodel the building into a wedding reception center.
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Washington Terrace 4th and 6th Ward Organ
4760 S 200 E
Washington Terrace, UT
Built 1959
Architect: Arthur Mueller
Click for Map Location of Building
Lorin Farr 3rd Ward Exterior
I stumbled upon this building recently and was struck by its use of local stone which ties it to the surrounding landscape quite nicely. I am unsure of the original name of the building or its date of construction.
Lorin Farr 3rd Ward
1570 E 1300 S
Ogden, UT
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 49th Ward Chapel Ceiling
4210 S 300 W
Riverdale, UT
Built 1959
Architect: Arthur Mueller
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 49th Ward Chapel Interior Detail
4210 S 300 W
Riverdale, UT
Built 1959
Architect: Arthur Mueller
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 6th Ward Windows
682 23rd Street
Ogden, UT
Built before 1912 (1909?) and Sold 1987
Currently vacant and in major disrepair
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 6th Ward Exterior
This building was possibly built in 1909, but for sure by 1912 for the Ogden 6th Ward, who continually used the building until at least 1977. From approximately 1981 through 1986 the building was vacant. In 1987, the building had been sold to the Zion’s Spanish Assembly of God. I am unsure of who the owner is today, but the building sits vacant once again and in disrepair.
682 23rd Street
Ogden, UT
Built before 1912 (1909?) and Sold 1987
Currently vacant and in major disrepair
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 4th Ward Font Room
In the original building, the baptismal font was located directly below this painted mural. Rather than the painting, though, there was some type of art glass window centered in the wall. In 1936, decorative railings were added around this font. Sometime prior to 1975, the art glass window was removed and this mural was added over the font. The text on the left wall of the painting says “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. And in the lower right corner is the artists name, C. E. Tillotson. During a building remodel in 1975, the font was moved to the other side of the room (to the right of this picture) and directly linked to new showers, changing rooms and restrooms. The font hole was filled in, floored over and the mural was preserved.
2115 Jefferson Ave
Ogden, UT
Built 1930
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 4th Ward Tower Room
This Tower Room is located directly above the main entry of the building and was originally called the Prayer Room. It has chandeliers, extremely plush carpet, a fireplace and lots of paintings. The current use is for firesides, special meetings, and setting people apart for various callings.
2115 Jefferson Ave
Ogden, UT
Built 1930
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 4th Ward Exterior
I have changed the previous entries of this building listed under the Buenaventura Ward to the Ogden 4th Ward. The 4th Ward is the historical and original name of both the building and the ward, while Buenaventura is the current name. So here is an exterior image of this beautiful and striking building. The area above the entry is a large room now called the Tower room, but was originally called the Prayer room. I’ll post additional pictures of this unique room shortly.
2115 Jefferson Ave
Ogden, UT
Built 1930
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 4th Ward Stained Glass
This particular window is on the side of the Stage, but this same window occurs throughout the Chapel and Cultural hall as well.
2115 Jefferson Ave
Ogden, UT
Built 1930
Click for Map Location of Building
Ogden 4th Ward Entry
Large entry lobby to the building – centered underneath the main tower. From the doors, stairs lead up to the chapel and cultural hall, and down to classrooms and gym.
2115 Jefferson Ave
Ogden, UT
Built 1930
Click for Map Location of Building
LDS ARCHITECTURE 