The Paris Tabernacle

Starting in the 1860's, faithful members of the LDS Church in Paris, Idaho, began collecting wood and quarrying the sandstone for their masterpiece. It took them twenty years to gather enough materials to begin construction.

Plans for this building came from Don Carlos Young, a son of Brigham Young. But the credit goes to the residents of Paris, who raised the money and donated their time, while still trying to survive as farmers and ranchers in a harsh environment.

The attention to detail in the interior shows true artistry. Since hardwoods were expensive and difficult to obtain, the doors were delicately painted in a "graining" style to make them look like hardwood.

Sloping floors provided a clear line of sight to the podium.

James Collings, Sr., a ship builder, used a construction style more commonly found in sailing ships. Hence the unusual ceiling.

"The Paris Tabernacle is unusual in that it really looks like it was built in Europe as a small cathedral and just dropped from above on the north end of Bear Lake," says Church historian Allen Roberts.

"I think everyone reveres it as one of the best five pieces of Mormon architecture."

The Tabernacle, with a capacity of 1500, served as headquarters for local church leadership and an assembly place for members. Very little has changed since it was dedicated for use in September, 1889. The building is still used for special concerts and other public gatherings.