About The Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle

Salt Lake Tabernacle March 31, 2007 courtesy Getty Images

The famous Salt Lake City (Mormon) Tabernacle underwent a massive renovation project from 2005-2007. This involved a meticulous process balancing historic preservation with essential modernization and seismic upgrades. According to my site stat tracker, the majority of my readership now lives outside of Utah, and a considerable amount of you reside outside of the United States. Therefore many of you have either not had the opportunity to visit beautiful Temple Square yet, or you have not returned since the renovation. I thought you may enjoy reading a brief history and watching some nice video clips about this unique, beloved and world-famous building. Click on any photo to enlarge.

Salt Lake Bowery

First, a little background history. Shortly after the July 1847 arrival of the first pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley, the prophet Brigham Young invited the members of the Church to build a gathering place to join in worship and social events. Even before homes were constructed, returning soldiers from the Mormon Battalion labored to create a Bowery — a simple structure of logs and branches to protect congregations from the sun as they worshiped.

Old Tabernacle & Bowery

In 1857 a more permanent gathering place was built called the “Old Tabernacle”. However, by 1861 it had already been outgrown.

Tabernacle Arch Section

Plans for a second Tabernacle were drawn. It would be a building with a curved ceiling and a seating capacity of more than 12,000. Brigham Young was a carpenter by trade, and his “turtle back” Tabernacle design came by inspiration, and was innovative. With the assistance of the Church architect, William H. Folsom, the construction of the Tabernacle began during the spring of 1863.
Every detail was attended to. The pioneers lacked standard building materials and had to be resourceful to undertake such a large structure. The timber for the large support beams had to be hauled from steep canyons far away. Some of the former Bowery was also reused. Often wooden pegs were used instead of nails, and beams were wrapped with strips of boiled animal skins (all which would prove the test of time amazingly well).

Tabernacle 1869

The Tabernacle would become one of the largest buildings of its kind in the world, measuring 150 feet wide, 250 feet long, and 80 feet high on the outside. When completed, the acoustics were unparalleled. The crowning glory was a large pipe organ hand crafted and brought at great sacrifice and through perilous Indian territory from California by ox drawn wagons.

By the fall of 1867, the Tabernacle and its organ was completed enough to be used at the October conference. By 1870, the organ and many of the inside fixtures were finished. The gallery was started in 1870. President John Taylor, who was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the completed Tabernacle at the October conference in 1875.

SL Tabernacle 1896 Statehood

Originally there were 700 pipes. Additional pipes were added, bringing the 1885 total to 2,648. A talented cabinetmaker named Ralph Ramsey created the famous and beautiful casework surrounding the organ pipes.

Tabernacle Organ Expansion 1916

Many modifications took place over time, including the addition of a balcony and later a choir loft (both of which improved the acoustics according to reports of the times).

SL Tabernacle Today

After being closed for nearly two years for renovation and seismic upgrade, the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square officially re-opened in April 2007.
Before the renovation began, the late President Gordon B. Hinckley asked designers to maintain the historical integrity of the Tabernacle, while bringing the 140-year-old building structurally into the 21st century.

SL Tabernacle Aerial Photo

New Benches

As part of the renovation, the foundation and structure were seismically strengthened and a new aluminum roof was set in place. Inside new lighting and sound systems were installed and the organ pipes received new gold leafing. Upgraded benches now offer more leg room. In addition, backstage workspace has been updated to better accommodate the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

SL Tabernacle Rededication

All visitors to Temple Square in Salt Lake City are given free tours of this historic building, and it is always amazing the accoustic miracle of the hall. From time to time selected groups are even given back-stage tours of the newly completed Tabernacle upgrades behind-the-scenes.


Here are two video clips from the October 2007 World Report that summarize the extensive work, and give a glimpse of the gala reopening concert. I thought that you may enjoy these. The first clip summarizes the careful renovation process, the second highlights the dedication and celebration afterwards.

A series of ten gala performances were held to celebrate the re-opening of the Tabernacle! Joining the choir was the renown welsh baritone, Bryn Terfel.