Pine Valley Ward Chapel, Main & Grass Valley Streets, Pine Valley

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,27-PINVA,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This early chapel was designed and built by Ebenezer Bryce, after whom Bryce Canyon National Park was named. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 2. Date of erection: 3. Architect: Ebenezer Bryce k. Builder: Ebenezer Bryce 5. Original plan and construction: The building is sub- stantially as originally built, except for some modi- fication of detail by replacement of deteriorating materials. The logs for the frame were hand-picked from particularly straight pines. They were then hand hewn to shape and fastened with wooden pins in augered holes, wrapped with green cowhide. The curved ceiling was built over heavy timbers hewn to form an ellipse.

The stage proscenium was arched to harmonize with the roof structure. The walls were built on the ground and then tilted up in place. The architecture was modelled after churches in New England in honor of Brigham and Erastus Snow. Indoor plumbing and electricity are bein^ installed at the present time (July, * PINE VALLEY WARD CHAPEL HABS NO. U~60 (Page 2) B. Historical Events and Persons Associated with the Building: Pine Valley was "discovered" in by pioneer Isaac Riddle while following a stray cow helonging to the members of the Indian Mission of Fort Harmony, Utah. He found excellent tim- ber of aspen, spruce and pine on the hills and in canyons that opened into the Valley, and it was this timber that attracted settlers.

The new settlements of Santa Clara, Pinto, Washing- ton and Harmony needed lumber to build, and water was accessi- ble in the canyons for power. It was a natural consequence that a sawmill was built there in the fall of Isaac Riddle, John Blackburn and Robert Richey purchased the machi- nery in Salt Lake City. Little farming was done until l86U, and this done more as a test of the irrigation system's effect on farms downstream at Santa Clara. After St. George was settled (in quite a few settlers moved to Pine Valley, and the lumbering and farming operations expanded. The mines at Silver Reef and Pioche, Nevada also contributed to the town's prosperity.

As the timber lands were cut indiscriminately, this industry fell off and the population began to move away, although tim- ber was cut as late as the It is reported that lum- ber for the pipes of the famed Salt Lake City Tabernacle organ came from Pine Valley. Joseph Ridges, designer and builder of the organ wanted yellow pine free from knots and resin. Trees were carefully selected by Robert Gardner, one of the valley's expert lumbermen, and sent to Salt Lake City. Ebenezer Bryce was an Australian shipbuilder and a pioneer who raised cattle in the valley which now bears his name, (Bryce Canyon).

He built the chapel like a ship, and of it said, "If the floods come it will float, and if the winds blow it may roll over, but it well never crash." He knew of whence he spoke, for it is as sound today as when he built it. It is still used as a chapel and school. C. Sources of Information: 1. Primary and unpublished sources: Interview with Miss Bessie Snow, Pine Valley, Utah, by Project Director Paul Gosgldner, July 17, Original Town Plat, Pine Valley, Utah, Washington County Courthouse, St. George, Utah. 2.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,27-PINVA,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Under Dixie's Sun, Washing- ton County. PINE VALLEY WARD CHAPEL HABS No. U-60 (Page 3) Larson, Andrew Karl. I Was Called To Dixie, Deseret News Press, Salt Lake Tribune, June lU, Chapel in Southern Utah to Note Century of Constant Use. Prepared by John L. Giusti July 23, PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural interest: This early wood frame church was built by an Australian shipbuilder using barnraising techniques. 2. Condition of fabric: Good; undergoing thorough repairs for centennial. B. Description of Exterior: 1. Over-all dimensions: The chapel is a simple, two-story rectangle 32' 3" x 52' h" excluding steps. 2. Foundations: Sandstone with newer concrete extended below. 3.

Wall construction, finish, and color: White painted clapboard, 6 inches to the weather. k. Structural system, framing: Wood frame. Walls assem- bled on the ground and raised into position. Joined with wooden pegs and rawhide. 5. Porches and stoops: Front steps are a double stair of twenty risers. The first runs of ten risers each ascend to landings at the front corners. The upper runs of ten risers meet at the front entrance landing. Originally all of wood, the steps and supports have been replaced with concrete but the railing is the original design in wood. 6. Chimneys: One at the east end of gable. 7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Five panel doors in plain frames, b. Windows: Double.

Basement windows are six-over-nine; first floor windows are nine-over-nine; attic windows are six-over-three. PINE VALLEY WARD CHAPEL HABS No. U-60 (Page k) 8. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Gable, covered with wood shingles. ID. Towers: Plain louvered "belfry with gable. C. Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: a. First floor: Auditorium with stage at east end. "b. Basement: Originally a large room under the auditor- ium and a small room under stage. c. Attic: A small finished room above the stage. 2. Stairways: From "basement to first floor, a steep straight stair at south wall of stage (being narrowed by remodeling). Stairs start from closed lower level but have open railings at upper landing. 3- Flooring: Three inch pine boards. Stage - original floor, approximately six inch pine boards.

k. Wall and ceiling finish: Plaster above T and G reeded wain- scot. Wall of auditorium merges with elliptical arched ceiling. 5. Doors: Four-panel 6. Decorative features and trim: Bracketed proscenium arch. 7- Lighting, type of fixtures: Original coal-oil chandeliers and sconces. 8. Heating: Fireplaces in small basement room and stage are sealed up, D. Site and Surroundings: 1. Orientation: Faces Main Street to the southwest. 2. Outbuildings: Tithing Office (U-6 ) at south corner of property. 3. Landscaping and walks, enclosures: The setting has always been a large meadow with locust trees around its borders but it has recently been graded and a lawn will be planted. PINE VALLEY WARD CHAPEL HABS No.

U-60 (Page 5) Prepared by Paul Goeldner, AIA Supervisory Architect Utah Project July 18, PART III. PROJECT INFORMATION This record is part of a Utah Survey conducted in the summers of and under joint sponsorship of the Historic American Buildings Survey of the Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation of the National Park Service and the Utah Heritage Foundation. Field "work, historic research and record drawings were done under the direction of Project Supervisor Paul Goeldner, AIA (Texas Tech Univer- sity) assisted by Project Historian John L. Giusti, AIA (University of Utah). Photographs were made by P. Kent Fairbanks of Salt Lake City. Student Assistant Architects on the team were Robert M. Swanson and Charles W. Barrow, (University of Utah).

Student Assistant Architects were Keith Sorenson, Charles D. Harker and Robert Schriever, (University of Utah) and Donald G. Prycer, (Texas A. & M. University).