Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall

The Provo Third Ward Chapel is a historic building located in Provo, Utah. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[1]

Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall * 105 North 500 West * Provo, Utah

Under the direction of Bishop Thomas N. Taylor, the Provo 3rd Ward chapel was built in 1903, exemplifying one of the first English Parish Gothic churches in Utah, and one of the most unique in the county.^[2] The building was designed by Richard Watkins, a prominent architect at the turn-of-the-century. ^[2] The Provo Third Ward meeting house is as unique and distinguished of a chapel as can be found in the area. An adjoining amusement hall was built in the year 1913, and the entire interior was redone in the late 1930s. The building was eventually vacated by the LDS Church in the year 1979, and it is currently used as a private school. The Provo 3rd Ward Chapel was designated to the historic Provo Landmark register on April 28, 1995.

History

In 1901 the Mormon Church in Provo was broken up into three units known as stakes. Within the LDS religion, stakes are further divided into smaller units known as wards. The Provo Third ward of the Utah stake was the ward responsible for the construction of this chapel. Using primarily local materials and locally employed workers, bishop Thomas Nicholls Taylor, the current mayor of Provo, and his building committee composed of Arthur Dixon, Edgar Perry, and H. J. Maiben, undertook the project. The National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form describes the construction process. "The cost of the new building was $11,000. In 1913, to accommodate expanding church programs, members erected an adjoining amusement hall, finishing only the top floor for $15,000. The lower floor was finished in 1926 for $5600 (National Park Service p. 2)." The Provo Third Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall served not only as a chapel for worship, but also provided the Saints with a place to interact socially in forms of dance, musicals, sports, etc. This is an important historic landmark in Provo due to the fact it is one of the few chapels in the city to have distinguished architectural character.

Both the NRHP nomination and the article on Fred L. Markham say that he was the architect for this building. However, he was born in 1902, so that seems unlikely.

Bishop Thomas N. Taylor

Thomas N. Taylor was born in 1868 in Provo, Utah, the son of George Taylor Sr. and Eliza Nicholls Taylor. His father, George Taylor Sr., had founded the Taylor furniture store in 1866, which was the first furniture store in Provo. The business became incorporated in the year 1890, and began to expand quickly, becoming Provo's first large department store. Thomas' education consisted of attending Provo schools and eventually Brigham Young Academy (now university). He married Maud Rogers in the L.D.S. Manti temple in the year 1889. Thomas was a political man. He was mayor of Provo from 1900 to 1903, and a candidate for governor of Utah as a democrat in 1920, although he did not win the election.

Thomas was also active in his religion. A prominent member of the L.D.S. faith, Taylor served as bishop of the Provo Third Ward for nineteen years and subsequently served as president of the Utah Stake for twenty years. Taylor also served as a stake patriarch within the Mormon church. Also active within the community, Thomas was a member of the board of trustees of Brigham Young University and served as chairman of that group and of the University of Utah Board of Regents. Taylor also helped to establish the Utah Valley Hospital. Thomas Taylor died in 1950. As for his home, it was deeded to Taylor brothers once bishop Taylor passed away. David S. Nelson bought the home in 1957, and after sixteen years sold the house to Verl G. Dixon, a former mayor.

Notes

• National Park Service. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form." April 1995.

External links

• NRHP Listings in Provo Utah