Pioneer style

Architecture in Utah is highly religious, consisting of temples and church meetinghouses, and European-influenced due to the origins of many of the settlers.

Members of the Church valued the institution of education, an idea they carried with them from the Northern States, which resulted in many schools being established for their children.

Entertainment was another highly appreciated and valued aspect among the early members of the Church which resulted in the establishment of many theatres and music halls.

Many of these newcomers were European immigrants resulting in the Pioneer styles being based on early Greek, Roman, and English architecture.”[2] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded on April 6, 1830, by the Prophet Joseph Smith under the direction of God.

After the Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered at the Carthage Jail in Illinois, the members were forced to migrate to the west.

The Mormon pioneers consisted of 80,000 Latter-day Saints migrating west to the Salt Lake Valley from the mid-1840s to the 1860s.

The Salt Lake Valley was Mexican territory upon their arrival, but it was quickly ceded to American in the Mexican-American War in 1848.

Many of Church converts in other parts of the world, such as England and Scandinavia, were encouraged to immigrate to the U. S. and dwell among the members in Utah, which many did.

Because unity and community were dominating concepts and practices during the early days of the Church, association with the Gentiles was not encouraged.

The members of the Church were discouraged from participating in the mining industry or spending their money on materialistic endeavors, so many of the mansions built in Utah are a result of the non-members.

There was also an influx in immigration (mostly from Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Japan) to Utah as a result of the newly finished railroads in the 1860s.

Because of its elaborate and intricate design, it stands as a popular tourist attraction for many when they come to visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The more religiously esteemed or valued a church building was, the more funding and attention to the architectural design it received.

However, once the church had gathered in Utah, one room buildings were built and used as meeting houses, but also served other, often secular purposes.

[6] As the church grew and more financially acquit in Utah, more meetinghouses were built with features recognized by members today.

[8] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasized and valued entertainment in ways such as theatre and music.

It was only until after World War I when the film industry increased that the Theatre lost popularity and was eventually demolished in 1928.

In order for the members to have large gatherings where they could hear both the choir and the church leaders, buildings such as the Tabernacle were built.

The tabernacle has a unique style which consists of an expansive dome cover, allowing sound to reverberate well throughout the building.