Davis LDS Ward Chapel, Vernal (Utah)

It was November of 1932 and the fall weather permitted Bishop Alfred Simper, of the Davis Ward, along with 20 men headed for the mountain to get timber for their new chapel in the Davis area. The size and material needed had not been determined but the men wanted to be prepared. By November of 1933, the pouring of cement for the basement of the new $12,000 chapel commenced. Preliminary work consisted of men securing lumber, hoping to get the roof on this fall and have the building completed in the spring of the next year. The cement basement extended several feet above the ground and included eight classrooms, a Relief Society room, and Boy Scout quarters. The upper floor will be the chapel, seating capacity of 150+, with a recreation hall, and Bishop's office. The outside will be finished with pressed brick veneer that gave a pleasing appearance to the imposing structure. One of the many fund raisers was held on 24 July 1935. A two-day Pioneer Day celebration consisted of an Indian stage hold-up, ball games, polo games, pony races, and potato races, calf roping, relay races, chariot races, slow race and bicycle races. Bishop Alfred Simper presided while a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the building in November of 1937.