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Show t June 1999 Messenger-Enterpris- e Mormon Miracle Pageant Supplement 11 Page 2500 stones replaced Manti Temple exterior renovation completed By Tricia Call The scaffolding has all been removed, and the Manti LDS Temple exterior has been restored to its original beauty. A renovation project on the Manti Temple commenced in January of 1996. The scope of the project at that time was estimated to take approximately two years. a retaining wall to the east was added to the necessities, and so a project expanded to 35 th months. Finally the scaffolding came down in December 998 and the entire project was completed on December 13. 1 Pageant attenders will remem- ber that the scaffolding was up during last years presentation of the Mormon Miracle Pageant. As the project progressed, inspectors and architects for The Church The oolite exterior of the Saints Manti Temple was painstakingly of Jesus Christ of Latter-da-y found other repairs were needed; inspected, with approximately 4J 2500 stones replaced and another 2000 stones retooled or refurbished. Additionally, the retaining wall and the stairway on the southeast side of the temple were replaced. Repairs were also done on the annex and the west driveway walls. The general contractor for the project was Arnell West, Inc. and State Stone, responsible for the masonry work, was the primary subcontractor. The primary reason for the renovation project was to prevent continued deterioration to the exterior of the temple, said Bill Naylor, the LDS Churchs project manager and contract administrator overseeing the project. Oolite is a very soft stone by comparison to other stone used in temple construction, and it has a pronounced grain. When the stone is laid in place vertically, water can seep into the grain, causing the stone to flake and deteriorate rapidly, Naylor said. Considering the length of time the temple has been standing, and the propensity for oolite to crumble if conditions allow, w e are fortunate that less than 10 of the stones had to be replaced, he added. Original estimates of 730 days were arrived at after a review by an expert in stone renovation from Chicago. It was known for over ten years that there was a growing problem with the exterior. Using field glasses and telescopes, this architect examined and evaluated drew plans stones which stones were identifying most in need of attention. Contractors and administrators were aware that once the scaffolding was up and masonry w orkers w ere allowed a close-u- p look at the stones, the project would likely expand, Nay lor said. The stone was quarried in large blocks from the quarry, transported to Torrey, Utah, w here the blocks were cut w ith precision to fit very exacting specifications, then returned to the temple site, where the stone was placed. The work was painstakingly performed to protect the structure while repairs w ere being done. Few of the stones were replaced completely, but only those portions of the stone which had deteriorated (usually about six inches into the stone) were replaced. Each LDS temple built in the 1800s was built from materials radius. The Lowithin a built from a granwas gan Temple ite quarry found a distance up the canyon east of Logan, the Salt Lake Temple from granite quarries in the Cottonwood Canyon areas southeast of the temple site. The Manti Temple rock, for the one-by-on- v ' i i ni Tirwfmr fnrmii J Tiinf ii' Scaffolding on the east tower allows workmen access to the structure for repairs. 20-mi- Last remaining scaffolding was removed on Dec. 7, 1998 e, le Large oolite blocks are removed from quarry and designated to replace a specific stone from the temple. most part, came from the oolitic limestone quarry immediately east of Temple Hill, a convenience bal- anced by the difficulty in working the rock into smooth, even blocks. It took the builders of the temple five months to cut 5.000 stones. The stone had to be cut and made ready for laying the three to 3.5 foot thick walls during winter months. There are an estimated 32,000 stones in the temple. Perfection, a goal under Bill Naylors watch, was also a mandate during the original construction. Edward L. Parry , the master mason at that time saw that one of the stone workers w as about to place a cracked stone on the building: I will put the crack on the inside. No one will know it is there, said the stone layer. That is not quite right! replied Brother Parry. You will know it; I will know it; and the Lord will know it. Now remove the stone and replace it w ith one w ithout flaw s! (quote from The Manti Temple Centennial It took to years complete the original structure. The challenge they could not have foreseen was the problem w ith the grain of the rock; they had not been able to see stones cut and exposed to wind, water, sun, frost and time. Renovations have been taking place regularly since approximately 15 years after the dedication of the temple; some to improve the grounds, build an annex, close the tunnel, construction of wash rooms, workers dressing rooms, locker rooms, rest rooms and stairway, adding lighting fixtures, flood lights, an organ for the Chapel, and to repair the east 1888-1988- ). 1 1 Skilled stonecutters from State Stone do final work on stones to make sure they fit exactly. tower after a lightning-strike- About If to 20 vears ago. caused fire. The first renovation on exterior occurred approxi- matelv 25 years after the dedica- tion. and was the beginning of renovations. Restoration work was also done on the large mural paintings inside, carpeting and more. In 1981 the temple was closed for four years for the most extensive restoration work done since the dedication, almost 100 years earlier. The most recent project did not hinder the function of the temple; sessions continued as pa- could hear the stone work- ers going about their work. Even the Mormon Miracle Pageant went on unfazed on the south grounds of the temple with work crews doing their best to plan their work for the north side of the temple at those times. stone experts tried a sprav coat-th- e ing on part of the temple annex in an attempt to protect the stone, But. according to Nay lor, that tually caused more damage than jt prevented. The coating trapped water inside the stone, accelerat-replace- d m2 deterioration, The most recent project will surely be followed by others. The life expectancy of this work is about 25 years; but we hope it lasts longer," Naylor added, Routine maintenance and renovation work is performed nually by the regular maintenance personnel This year the temple will be closed for maintenance ac-oth- er an-tro- ns from July 19 to Aug. 2. It will also be closed for computer adjust- nients the first week in January 2000. and will reopen Jan. 5. 2000. Two words have never said so much! Snow College 150 E College Ave Ephraim, Ut 84627 0 (435) 283-715- HSRelationssnow.edu COPY Snow College South 800 W 200S Richfield, Ut 84701 (435) Janet 896-971- 1 svatc.tec.ut.us r |