PROVO CITY CENTER TEMPLE
MILESTONES STORY BY BARBARA CHRISTIANSEN
The Provo City Center Temple, and the Provo Tabernacle from which it has been built, has an extensive history, beginning in the 19th century. The following information has been compiled from the archives of the Daily Herald and the book “Provo’s Two Temples” by Richard O. Cowan.
1800s
SPENSER HEAPS, DAILY HERALD
The Provo Tabernacle prior to its dedication in 1888, photographed on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 at Brent Ashworth’s shop in Provo.
30
1861
1882
1886, 1887
1891
1898
First tabernacle built, known as Old Meeting House.
In December, construction begins on new Provo Tabernacle.
1875
1885
First LDS baptistry in Utah County built next to Old Meeting House.
On Aug. 5, memorial held for President Ulysses S. Grant, who died July 23. Chairs brought in as tabernacle still under construction.
LDS Church April general conferences held in Provo inside nearly completed tabernacle. Pressure on general authorities and others for practicing polygamy; Provo deemed safer place to hold conference sessions.
Tabernacle almost lost to fire before it was finished. Electricians installed wires for lights and used a gasoline blowpipe, which exploded within seconds of being thrown out of structure.
Elder George Q. Cannon dedicates tabernacle. Construction took 15 years and $100,000. Cannon filled in when LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff fell ill.
PCCT Magazine | January 2016