ST. GEORGE — The historic St. George Tabernacle will remain closed for another year as construction moves forward on schedule.
The 19th century edifice at 18 S. Main St. in St. George closed its doors for renovation in June 2016 in order to perform structural upgrades to the building’s roof and polish the interior, St. George Public Affairs Council member Tim Martin for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said.
Design documents for the project indicate it will likely finish in time for the holiday season in December 2017.
The roof’s structural adjustments are meant in part to better earthquake-proof the building.
In addition to the structural adjustments, design documents show elements of the building’s interior receiving touch-ups to existing hardware, such as refinished pews and repairs to cracked woodwork.
Previous to the start of the construction, the Tabernacle has been open to the public and is frequently used to hold civic and religious gatherings.
Often referred to as the “jewel of the desert,” the Tabernacle was originally commissioned by Brigham Young as a public works program during the community’s struggling cotton mission. Construction was completed and the Tabernacle was dedicated by Brigham Young Jr. in 1876. The building is made almost entirely of locally produced material, including nearby quarried limestone and sandstone and timber hauled in from Pine Valley.
“Born of suffering and travail, it imparts no sense of toil and hardship, but the feeling of effortless creation that only great art can achieve,” historian Andrew Karl Larson said of the structure and impact on its contemporary community.
The LDS church’s tabernacle in Provo also recently underwent renovation. Following a December 2010 fire, the building was overhauled to convert it into a temple.
More information about the St. George Tabernacle can be found at the St George Temple Visitor Center at 490 S. 300 East, St. George.
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Design documents describe renovation projects for the interior of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Image courtesy of Philipoom Construction, St. George News
Design documents describe renovation projects for the interior of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Image courtesy of Philipoom Construction, St. George News
Design documents describe renovation projects for the interior of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Image courtesy of Philipoom Construction, St. George News
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's historic St. George Tabernacle is under renovation for structural upgrades, St. George, Utah, Sept. 22, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Construction crew members work to renovate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's historic St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah, Sept. 22, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Construction crew members work to renovate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's historic St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah, Sept. 22, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's historic St. George Tabernacle is under renovation for structural upgrades, St. George, Utah, Sept. 22, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's historic St. George Tabernacle is under renovation for structural upgrades, St. George, Utah, Sept. 18, 2016 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
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Why is this bit of refurbishment going to take 18 months?? How does that compare with the renovations done about 20 years ago? What is happening to the Christmas concerts this year that would normally take place in the Tabernacle?
Oh I’m sure they have made plans to have the Christmas concerts elsewhere. and as far as how long this will take to finish this project LOL ! I’m sure Bob has some kind of conspiracy theory about that ! Ha ha ha ha. this should be good
We are so blessed to have these wonderful rennovations being done to our sacred and holy Tabernacle. Lord willing, our wonderful Tabernacle will be around for 100s more years for all the future brethren to be blessed by as we have been. Praise THE LORD.