Paris Mormon Tabernacle, Bear Lake, and JC Penny Store

So you might be asking, “Where in the world did they go next”? Good question! Well, after leaving Golden Spike National Historic Park, we somewhat retraced our steps back towards Wyoming and our upcoming stay at Slough Creek Campground in Yellowstone. Along the way, we stopped at several places, only one of which was on our original agenda – guess which one!

Our first stop was a cross-stitch store in Ogden, UT. BTW, what is Meriam doing in a cross-stitch store? Those of you who know Meriam and followed our blog know Meriam loves various forms of handcraft. Crafts of weaving and rug hooking are difficult to perform in our camper so these two art forms are out. Recently, at home, she has returned to the art of cross-stitching, something she performed more than 50 years ago. Small and compact, with minimal accruements it is perfect for the camper. Cross stitching this time for Meriam is revolving around historical reproduction samplers. Hence the search was on.

Here we have Meriam getting help and supplies for a 3 color reproduction Quaker sampler (her Vestal lineage were Quakers.)

As we traveled over the mountains from Ogden, UT to Wyoming, we followed one of America’s scenic byways to its summit overlooking the beautiful Bear Lake. The footprint of the lake encompasses three different states – Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho.

The lake was so large it took a series of 8 photographs to make this panorama.

Knowing the Bear Lake region was part of the early Mormon settlement of Utah, we were on the lookout for evidence of this period. Look what we found in the small settlement of Paris…Idaho that is! So why was this small town in Utah named Paris? It seems one of the original settlers was named Perris. So in naming the town, the spelling got changed to Paris because it was more European.

Paris Mormon Tabernacle. Like virtually all our encounters with the Mormon culture, we found the people to be very welcoming and hospitable.
Construction of this tabernacle began in 1884, using the Roman revival-style church architecture designs of Joseph Don Carlos Young, a son of Brigham Young.
The construction cost totaled $50,000…quite a sum back in those days! The stonework was completed by the Tueller family (more on this family later), who had relocated from their native Switzerland, eventually settling in the Bear Lake Valley. Native timbers of pine were cut and hauled from nearby forests. The beautiful red sandstone was quarried 18 miles away at Indian Creek and stockpiled for nearly twenty years before actual construction began.
We were so lucky to have Mr. Tueller (pictured above), the great-grandson of the Tueller stonemason who built the Tabernacle, as our personal guide. As we toured the Tabernacle, Mr. Tueller regaled us with stories about his great grandfather during his building of the church.
The Tabernacle seats 1,500 people and is designed to give everyone a clear view of the pulpit. Upon entering the Tabernacle, one feels like they have entered a golden palace. In fact, all the wood is from pine trees! Every piece of wood has been stained and shellacked. Selected pieces have even been faux painted to resemble more unusual woods such as quarter sawn oak and cherry. James Nye, a sheepherder/farmer from Australia, carved the ceiling in the distance, above the organ, the windows, and the detailed decorative spindle work.
The magnificent ceiling was built by James Collins, Sr., a shipbuilder from England, using construction commonly found in ships. As you will note, the ceiling resembles the inverted hull of a ship.
We normally would not show the back of a building but Mr. Tueller told about how the Mormons of the area wanted a vestibule on the rear of the building. As I mentioned earlier, Joseph Don Carlos Young, the son of Brigham Young, was the architect. At that time, Don Carlos was in Europe studying architecture. A request was sent to Don Carlos for the addition. His response took several months to reach Paris (Utah). Mr. Tueller’s great grandfather began to build the addition. As he approached the completion, he noticed that the roofline of the vestibule and the attached Tabernacle did not align! It was then Don Carlos realized he had not taken into account the thickness of the Tabernacle’s walls.

As you will note, the stone used for the chimney on the left is different from that on the right. The left chimney is not made from red sandstone. Mr. Tueller said they had depleted their supply of red sandstone and his great grandfather said “ok, I am not climbing the quarry walls to retrieve stone for a chimney! I’ll make it out of something else.”
While this is not a particularly interesting photograph, the story associated with it is. The limestone Mr. Tueller used to construct the Tabernacle is very porous and he was concerned over time that the stone would erode as a result of rainfall. So, when mortaring the stones in place, he allowed it to protrude beyond the face of the stone (as seen in the photograph), thus reducing a significant amount of water falling on the stone.

JC Penny Store

Oops, I almost forgot. In a small town we passed through, we came upon this!

The original JC Penny store. It is still in operation!
Posted in 2021 - The West...More Yet to Discover
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  • mao  You find the most interesting spots!  Good fishing…ReplyCancel

    • HaroldWe thought Don would also appreciate this post because of the history associated with the stone masons. 
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  • Donald WayneI agree with your comment on the friendliness of Mormans.  Tabernacle Square in Salt Lake City is the friendliest square block in the whole world.ReplyCancel

    • HaroldDonald, quite true and definitely a beautiful place also.ReplyCancel

  • Peggy PainterI learn so much history through your travels…thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

    • HaroldIt’s our pleasure, Peggy. Not only do we enjoy sharing, but it helps us remember also.ReplyCancel

  • MaryLou ReevesCharlie and I fished and had lunch at Slough Creek in 2011. When we arrived a waning sign was posted that Black Bear had been seen there 3 days earlier; driving out we saw about 8-10 Mule deer;  Lamar Valley we experienced quite a number of different wildlife.  Returned to Lamar Valley in 2018.  
    Always enjoy your blogs.ReplyCancel

    • HaroldMarylou, Thanks for your comment. Yes, Slough Creek is really a special place in Yellowstone. Meriam said, “It’s Yellowstone without all the people.” Our older son and his family were here in early June this year also. There has been lots of wolf activity in the area also. More on that in a future post.ReplyCancel

  • Fran RoundsArchitecture fascinates me as much (almost) as Nature..like associated history. BTW, Happy Birthday, Harold! (& hi MB❤️) FranReplyCancel

    • HaroldThankx for the birthday wishes, Fran. 78 and still vertical!ReplyCancel

  • Virginia PeveyThis tabernacle is stunning and the architecture is amazing! So neat that you had such a knowledgeable guide.ReplyCancel

    • HaroldToo right! It was really interesting to hear his pride in the accomplishments of his ancestors. ReplyCancel

  • MARDEE DESSOMMES  Seeing the J.C Penny Company Store was certainly a blast from the past…ReplyCancel