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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A CHRISTmas Story




December 17 the historic Provo Tabernacle was gutted by fire. This gorgeous edifice is survived by the figure of Christ salvaged in the ashes.
From the newspaper: Remaining gable of Provo Tabernacle roof razed

By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake TribunePublished Dec 23, 2010 03:42PMUpdated Dec 20, 2010 11:04PM
Provo • The remaining portion of the historic Provo LDS Tabernacle’s roof was taken down Monday, officials said.
Fire Chief D. Blair Camp said the roof gable and brickwork on the west end were removed as part of an effort to stabilize the shell of the 127-year-old building that was destroyed in a Friday fire.
“The contractors that have been hired by the church are working on stabilization, and they have to take a few bricks down here and there,” Camp said. “It’s not going to be anything major.”
Camp said investigators went inside the building Monday, but a full investigation will start after the walls are stabilized and investigators can safely sift through the charred remains of the Tabernacle’s roof, balcony and pews.
The fire was called into dispatchers at 2:43 a.m. Friday, and firefighters who arrived a minute later found the inside of the building ablaze, forcing them to fight the fire from outside.
The fire, which burned until Saturday, gutted the building. Among the items recovered from the fire was a picture depicting Jesus Christ’s second coming still in its frame, with all but the figure of Christ blackened.
The fire launched an outpouring of grief, as residents came down Friday morning to see the burning building. On Sunday, a tribute to the Tabernacle was presented at Utah Valley University, along with a performance of Lex de Acevedo’s “Gloria,” which was to have been performed in the Tabernacle.
The Provo Foundation has established a fund for people to contribute to the Tabernacle’s reconstruction. Deputy Mayor Corey Norman, the foundation’s executive director, said the fund was set up in response to people’s desire to see the Tabernacle rebuilt, even though its future is uncertain.
“I’ve told them from day one that we have no idea what the church is going to decide,” Norman said. “But if that time comes, we want to provide residents an outlet to feel like they are contributing.”
LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said the church is waiting for the investigation to be completed before deciding what steps to take.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
This gives me goosebumps every time I read it. occ










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