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Show Volume III, Issue I THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 27 November 1, 2000 Huntsville’s New Meeting House Erected In 1881 By Stanley F. Wangsgaard Ogden Valley Historian Bishop Francis A. Hammond and some of the brethren of the priesthood began a drive for donations in 1879 to build a new meeting house. Work on the project began shortly thereafter, and before the final joint was made every able-bodied man and boy in the community had put in long hours in the building of it. Many a housewife with a few minutes to spare did the same. Bricks and “dobies” were molded by hand at a small brickyard west of town. Timber was cut in the surrounding mountains and sawed into proper sizes and lengths. By 1881 the beautiful structure was completed and was considered “good sized” for the times. With dimensions 70 by 35 feet, it stood 24 feet to the square. The handsome bell tower reached slender and tall, 98 feet from the ground. The main body of the meeting house would seat 600 with a balcony across the back, supported by four huge pillars which provided places for another 200. Over the rostrum was a graceful archway, reaching from wall to wall and supported by two more pillars. This arch was a special thing of beauty, with hand carved scrolls and cutwork in its highly polished native red pine surface. A wood cornice between the curved ceiling and walls was also of hand carved red pine, as was the trim on the pillars. This fancy wood carving and finishing work inside, and all the exterior trim and finish work including the steeple, front porch and the fence was the work of Knud Emmertsen, Joseph Michelson and Niels Knudsen, all early converts from Denmark who had a way with wood carving tools. They made the benches and furniture, and supervised much of the main structure of the church. Five Gothic windows on each side and two at the south end gave light to the interior. The grounds were neatly fenced and surrounded by trees, which added to the attractiveness of the building. The bell in the steeple echoed its mellow notes ringing through the valley on Sunday morning. The entire cost of the meeting house and furnishings was $11,800. The beehive shaped plaque on the front of the meeting house read, “ERECTED A.D. – MDCCCLXXXI,” which translated reads 1881. The Church requires that meeting houses cannot be dedicated until they are completely paid for, with no accompanying Over 100 Years Ago debt. No doubt the reason for the twoyear delay before it was dedicated. On Sunday, July 8, 1883 the building was dedicated. President John Taylor and other general church authorities came from Salt Lake for the occasion, arriving Saturday evening. They were greeted by the brass band and a large crowd of citizens who were assembled in front of the meeting house where an arch of welcome had been prepared, bearing the words, “Welcome God’s Chosen.” That evening a reception was held at the home of Bishop Hammond. The Deseret news reported the dedication as follows: “The erection of such a building by the people of a small settlement like Huntsville is a very creditable and praiseworthy undertaking. The building was commenced in the spring of 1879, and now that it is entirely completed and dedicated, the saints of Huntsville have just cause to be proud of so beautiful a place of worship. The meeting house is one of the finest in the stake, and will answer the purpose for which it has been erected for many years to come. At the services Sunday there were present on the stand: Presidents, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, President L. John Nuttal, President Jacob Gates and Abram H. Cannon, and Elders John Irvine and Henry Grow of Salt Lake City; also apostle F. D. Richards, President L. W. Shurtliff, C. F. Middleton, and N. C. Flygate, Elders F, S. Richards, L. F. Moench and Richard Ballantyne of Ogden, besides bishops and elders from nearly all the settlements in the county.” Following the dedication of the meeting house a big banquet was held in the old rock meeting house nearby. Women of the ward cooked the roast beef at their homes along with bread, pies and cakes. The added classroom on the back of the rock house was cleared out and four cook stoves were set up inside where some of the fare was cooked and/or kept hot before it was served up on plank tables set on saw horses. The saints in Huntsville were so proud of their large new beautiful place of worship, that it was referred to as “The Tabernacle” for many years to come. Note: Material taken from the Ogden Standard-Examiner and Beneath Ben Lomond’s Peak. THINK OF THE FUTURE The Ogden Valley Land Trust a non-profit organization For more information Call (801) 745-2048 Can you guess who’s house this was before it was rennovated? Please send us your favorite historical photo. Send photos to: OGDEN VALLEY NEWS P O BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 Classifieds -For SaleFor Sale: Nine week old female Rottweiler pup. Good markings, excellent temperament. Grandmother German Rott. $250. Call 745-2688 or 791-4387. For Sale: 1996 Torro 724 Snow Blower. Only used one spring. Paid $1000 new, will sale for $700 or best offer. Call 393-4350 for more information. For Sale: Snowboard—Burton 137 “Punch” with Burton Freestyle bindings (80 to 100 lb. youth), $125. Snowboard boots; “Heelside” boys size 5, $35. Snowboard; Sims 152 “Alan Clark” with Sims bindings (130 to 160 lb. Person), $95. Car rack; Barrecrafter spare tire system. NEVER USED IN BOX. Holds up to 4 snowboards, $75. Call 745-2306, ask for Codi or Jeni. For Sale: Moving boxes, packing paper/ padded paper, all sizes (dish pack, wardrobe) $10 for everything. Call 745-8654. For Sale: Firewood – pine split. $55.00 per truckload – approximately one-half cord. Call 745-0658. For Sale: New, never been uses 36 inch front or back steel door with glass view area. Casing included. Only $75. Call 745-2688 or 791-4387. For Sale: Briggs & Stratton engine, 5 hp, model 135232. Excellent condition. Demonstration – nights and weekends. Best offer. Call 745-3811. -ServicesHealth Care for elderly parents. 5days, Monday – Friday, weekends off. Reference required. Call the Lamb’s 745-1368, Eden. Drywall Repair – Convenient – Quick – Quality Guaranteed. Residential or commercial. Licensed and insured. Call 801-745-3035 office or 801-7913714 mobile. Boat and recreational vehicle storage available. Indoor heated and secured facility. Located in Ogden with easy access to Ogden Canyon. For more information and rates, call 745-3347. Julie and Regina’s Animal Sitting – Your home or mine. $6.00/day or per visit for cows, horses, goats, pigs, dogs & cats. $2.50/day for caged small animals. Very personal service. Call 745-3327. Welch’s Rabbitery: Rabbits for Sale, Several breeds available for show, pet or meat. Hunters don’t go home empty-handed! Call 745-3327. -FoundFound: Brand new wheelbarrow found on the North Ogden Divide near the top, in the middle of the road. Possibly fallen off of a white pick-up truck. If you are the owner please call 745-3262 or 745-2879. -WantedWanted: Looking for cashiers and cooks to work at Sinclair’s Old Farm Market in Mountain Green. Starting at $6.50 and up. Call 801-876-3471 for more information or to apply. Wanted: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is collecting supplies needed in the event of a community emergency. The local CERT Program is sponsored by Weber County. If you would be able to donate any of the following supplies, please contact Linda Spencer at 7450805. Blankets or sheets Fire Extinguishers Generators Medical Supplies Tarps Backpacks Flashlights and Batteries Other Miscellaneous Items Convenient Quick Quality Guaranteed AAA DRYWALL REPAIR Jim Zeleznick 552 S. 8600 E. Huntsville, UT 84317 Licensed, Insured & Preferred Office/Fax: Mobile: 801-745-3035 801-791-3714 |