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Free Traveling Guides » States » Utah » Greater UtahMormon Tabernacle
The Mormon Tabernacle, locally known as the Salt Lake Tabernacle, is situated in Temple Square in the Salt Lake City, Utah. It was established in 1867, mainly to house meetings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church). The Tabernacle was the venue of the semi-annual LDS General Conference for almost 132 years. It was also home to the Utah Symphony Orchestra until the Abravanel Hall was constructed. However, at present, the Tabernacle houses the internationally acclaimed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Besides, it also broadcasts the well-known radio and television program known as Music and the Spoken Word.
The Tabernacle has an aluminum-covered roof, which was constructed in an Ithiel Town lattice-truss arch system held together by wedges and dowels. The dome of the building is supported on a sandstone foundation made of forty-four sandstone piers. Moreover, the building has a seating capacity of 8,000, which includes the gallery as well as the choir area. The acoustics of the building is designed in such a way so as to ensure the best sound quality.
The original columns supporting the balcony and the benches in the Tabernacle are made from the native “white pine”. The most impressive and notable part in the building is its organ that has as many as 11,623 pipes positioned behind the pulpit. This pipe organ, originally made by Joseph H. Ridges and later modified by G. Donald Harrison, is one of the largest pipe organs in the world. The Mormon Tabernacle has a unique design and is, no doubt, one of the architectural masterpieces of the world.
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