Logan Tabernacle
The historic Logan Tabernacle is located in Logan, Utah. The original intent for its construction was to hold large gatherings for church meetings and community events.
The edifice was renovated over the course of 30 months (including seismic upgrades) and was rededicated on August 25, 2024, by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was born and raised in Logan. In his dedicatory remarks, Elder Cook "spoke of building on the heritage of those who have gone before and sacrificed to bless future generations of people they would not meet in this life.
- “The German philosopher Goethe said, ‘What from your father’s heritage is lent, earn it anew to really possess it.’ One of our purposes today is to renew the heritage of the Logan Tabernacle,” he said.
- That personal heritage for Elder Cook in the tabernacle includes celebrating Easter, attending many stake conferences, commemorating his seminary graduation and bearing his testimony after returning from the British Mission in 1962.
- He also noted that the building has long been open to serve the needs of the greater community and was not used exclusively for Church meetings. This included a visit from Theodore Roosevelt, who spoke in the tabernacle in 1900, the year before he began his service as president of the United States.
- Elder Cook noted, “Community concerts have been particularly effective. For many years, a sing-along event of the ‘Messiah’ was deeply appreciated. Christmas concerts have been special in recent years.” Other events and concerts are held regularly in the building on Logan’s Main Street.
- “Even though the early pioneers were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from the beginning our faith was determined to protect religious freedom for people of diverse faith as well as those of no faith,” Elder Cook said. “In this valley our faith — working with Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews, Muslims and other faiths — have striven to succor, be a sanctuary and respect people regardless of faith or no faith.”[1]
Construction began on the tabernacle in 1865 and was completed in 1891. It was dedicated by Wilford Woodruff, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Delays in construction came when workers were shifted to construct the nearby Logan Utah Temple. Four years before the tabernacle was finished, meetings and classes were first held in the building’s basement in 1887.
The tabernacle was built entirely from local materials. The exterior walls are of local quartzite quarried in Green Canyon eight miles to the northeast; white limestone was used for the corners and trimmings and was quarried near Franklin, Idaho some twenty miles to the north.
Some of the major modifications made not long after the building was completed include the relocation of three outside stairways leading to the main floor. They were removed and new stairways were rebuilt inside of an entrance enclosure in the late 1880s.
The original pipe organ, built by Henry Pilcher's Sons of Louisville, Kentucky, was installed in 1908. It has been refurbished throughout the following decades. The stained glass windows in the west façade were installed sometime before 1910.
Renovations completed in the 1950s reflected the styles of the time: original pews were replaced and the pine floor was covered with asphalt tiles; the interior of the assembly hall was completely redecorated, the walls were painted a pale mint green; the original hand-stenciled ceiling painting was covered over with acoustical tile; the organ casework of dark-stained quarter-sawn oak was painted over with "blond" finish; and all other furnishings were changed. In 1989, many of these changes were reversed and elements of the original pioneer design returned to the decor. The interior paint scheme was changed to reflect what was discovered under many layers of paint laid on over the years. The acoustical tile was removed from the ceiling and the simple, elegant stenciling was restored.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Elder Cook noted prior to the rededication meeting that the Logan Tabernacle, similar to the original Salt Lake Tabernacle, was built with a baptismal font in it. Many Latter-day Saints from Logan were baptized in that font over 100 years. But, also like the Salt Lake Tabernacle following its renovations, the Logan Tabernacle no longer has a baptismal font in it.
Matt Painter, general contractor of the renovation project, said many prayers were offered during the 30-month project to seek heaven’s help in restoring what so many pioneers worked tirelessly to complete.
