Ogden Pioneer Tabernacle
The Weber Stake Tabernacle was later known as the Ogden Pioneer Tabernacle. Located on the southeast corner of the block, it was begun in 1855 with William N. Fife as the architect. The Utah War slowed the construction of the building, and the incomplete building was used as a meeting place by the Ogden division of the Utah Territorial Militia during that period.[1] The building was eventually finished and was dedicated October 10, 1869. It seated 1,250 people and was used primarily for stake conferences.
Soon after the railroad came to Ogden, work began on a new, larger tabernacle and the old one was to be a concert hall. Although the sandstone foundation actually reached a height of 4 feet, plans for the new tabernacle were completely abandoned, for a lack of funds.
For a brief period of time the Ogden Pioneer Tabernacle belonged to Ogden City and was used for various community needs, including classes for Weber Academy students.
The tabernacle was remodeled in 1896, and the grounds were improved in 1913. Eventually, stakes in the area wanted their own building on the property and plans for a tri-stake tabernacle on the square were discussed. By 1921, members of the Church in Ogden were eager for their own temple.
On July 24, 1953, Harold B. Lee broke ground for a new tabernacle on Ogden’s Tabernacle Square and the building was dedicated on February 12, 1956, by President David O. McKay. The Ogden Pioneer Tabernacle was abandoned for a time and then used as the local genealogical library for the Ogden Branch of the Genealogical Society of Utah from 1966 to 1971.
The building was razed in August 1971 for landscaping around the Ogden Utah Temple, which was announced in August 1967 and dedicated in January 1972.
