Bear Lake Stake Tabernacle, Mormon tabernacle in Paris, Idaho, US
The Bear Lake Stake Tabernacle is a brick and sandstone structure featuring a prominent bell tower and rows of tall windows along its walls. The main hall inside accommodates roughly 2,000 people and remains active for weekly services.
Construction took place between 1884 and 1889 when Mormon settlers hauled red stone from Indian Creek Canyon using teams of horses and oxen. This effort reflected the commitment to establishing permanent religious institutions in the frontier valley.
The building anchors the center of Paris and has shaped the town's identity for generations as a gathering place for worship and community meetings.
The building sits directly on Main Street in the center of town and is easy to locate and access on foot. Visitors can enter outside of scheduled services, though it is best to check ahead since events and gatherings take place regularly throughout the year.
Every wooden surface inside, from pews to pillars to trim work, features intricate hand-painted wood grain designs that showcase the builders' exceptional skill. This meticulous decorative technique has survived more than a century with remarkable detail still visible.
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