Utah Masonry Council
  • Home
  • About UMC
    • Join the Utah Masonry Council
    • Membership Benefits
    • Board of Directors
    • Membership Directory
    • Membership Application
  • Programs & Events
    • 2020 Mad About Masonry Golf Tournament Sponsorship
    • 2019 Excellence in Masonry Design Awards Dinner >
      • 2019 Excellence in Masonry Design Awards Entry Guidelines >
        • 2019 Excellence in Masonry Design Project Entry Fee & Submission Page
        • 2019 Excellence in Masonry Design Project Photo Submission Page
      • 2019 Lifetime Masonry Service Award Nominations
      • 2019 Excellence in Masonry Design Sponsor Opportunities
    • 2019 EIMD Submissions >
      • COMMERCIAL PROJECTS >
        • Young Living Global Headquarters
        • Holladay Harmons
        • Alpine Main Street Buildings 1, 2, and 3
      • HISTORIC RESTORATION >
        • St. George Tabernacle
      • PRIVATE PROJECTS UNDER $10 MILLION >
        • Strap Tank Restaurant
        • South Jordan Medical Office
      • INSTITUTIONAL PUBLIC PROJECTS >
        • Morgan High School Addition
        • Mountain Green Middle School
        • Mountain Ridge High School
        • Centennial Elementary School
        • Farmington High School
        • Silver Ridge Elementary
        • Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence, Utah State University
        • Cedar Valley High School
        • Mound Fort Junior High School Innovation Center
      • MUNICIPAL PROJECTS >
        • Pleasant Grove Fire Department & Public Safety Building
        • Utah National Guard Camp Williams Aaron
        • Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District Campus
      • MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS >
        • Pierpont Lofts
      • Specialty Masonry Projects: masonry featured in walls, fencing, walk ways and/or entry features. >
        • ​Pioneer Children’s Memorial at This Is The Place State Park
    • Previous EIMD Winners >
      • 2019 EIMD Winners
      • 2018 EIMD Winners
      • 2017 EIMD Winners
      • 2016 EIMD Winners
      • 2015 EIMD WInners
    • Previous EIMD Pictures >
      • 2019 EIMD Pictures
      • 2018 EIMD Pictures
      • 2017 EIMD Pictures
      • 2015 EIMD Pictures
      • 2014 EIMD Pictures
      • 2009 EIMD Pictures
  • Masonry Jobs
  • News & Technical Info
    • Designer Education Series-General Stone
  • Contact UMC

St. George Tabernacle

Project Confirmation Number:
​​7Y465857XL2505207
Entry Category:
​Historic Restoration
Project Location:
​​18 S. Main Street
St. George, Utah United States 84770
Brief Description of the Project:
​​The St. George Tabernacle, often referred to as the “jewel of the desert,” was commissioned by Brigham Young and designed by Robert Folsom. Mormon settlers constructed the building from 1863 to 1876, when it was first dedicated. After a yearlong effort, the tabernacle was recently renovated and rededicated in 2018.
Size of Building:
​​Nearly 240,000 SF
Amount of Masonry Used:
​​100% mortar replacement
Stone lintel replacement
Crack stitching reinforcement
Helical pinning
Stone patching, stone Dutchmen repairs
Restoration cleaning
Application of water repellent
Project Completion Date:
​2018
Explain the Project and its Unique Use of Masonry Materials and Techniques:
​​Constructed of the local deep rich red sandstone of southern Utah, the St. George Tabernacle has stood as an important house of worship for 143 years. Construction of the tabernacle was completed in 1876, which preceded the completion of the St. George Temple by a year. Brigham Young asked Erastus Snow and early settlers to build a tabernacle in 1862. Miles Romney was commissioned to create plans based on Robert Folsom’s design. The building would become a central gathering point for the community where it was used for not only church services, but would also function as a public works building and social hall. Many early settlers sacrificed money, time, and labor that went into the construction of the building.
Over a century of use has resulted in several renovations over the years but for the most part, the craftsmanship and artistry of the original builders has successfully been preserved over time. As with all historic buildings, they begin to wear out and become outdated. With the passing of time, safety issues become more apparent and issues of stability arise. The most recent renovation was the most comprehensive in work scope to provide seismic reinforcement to the masonry walls, provide new roof structure, and in restoring the interior and exterior finishes back to the original conditions as much as possible. The result is a beautiful restoration which brought many to tears during its rededication and was recently awarded a Utah Preservation Heritage Award.
For the most part, the exterior masonry of the building has been well preserved over the years mainly due to southern Utah’s arid climate. However, past restoration efforts proved less successful in matching historic mortars to what was likely the original mortar color. Based on research and documentation, it was decided to remove the existing bright white mortar on the building and replace it with a mortar that was blended to replicate what was likely more historically accurate. This custom mortar included blending in lime chunk aggregate inclusions to replicate historic mortars. In addition to the 100% repointing of the building, there were also several areas where stone repairs were required. The most significant stone repairs included the removal and replacement of cracked stone lintels. A replacement stone was required to match these large stone lintel units but matching the existing stone proved to be very difficult. It was discovered that none of the local quarries were producing the particular red sandstone that was needed. After some exploration of the local area and looking for possible matching rock formations, the mason discovered a landowner with several large boulders that looked like good candidates. The stones were purchased and fabricated into new stone lintels. Step cracking resulted in many broken stones throughout the facade which required pinning and patching as well as crack stitching reinforcement repairs. Besides these repairs, many other chips and spalls were patched and repaired. Upon completion of repairs, the building was cleaned and a water repellent application was applied to the exterior.
PC Architects
​Architect
Child Enterprises
Mason Contractor
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
​Owner
Philipoom Construction
​General Contractor
None
​Major Supplier
Photo Credit: Child Enterprises and PC Architects
Sustainable - Masonry - Brick - Block - Stone