Pine Valley Chapel
Historic sites
Built in 1868 by Scottish shipbuilder Ebenezer Bryce, the white clapboard Pine Valley Chapel is the oldest Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in continuous use, tucked in the pine-forested Pine Valley of Washington County.
History
The Pine Valley Chapel was designed and built in 1868 by Ebenezer Bryce, a Scottish shipbuilder and Latter-day Saint convert for whom Bryce Canyon is named. Bryce applied shipbuilding techniques—the building is often described as an upside-down ship, with walls assembled on the ground, raised upright, and fastened using wooden pegs and rawhide. The chapel was constructed from local Ponderosa pine, the same timber source used for the Salt Lake Tabernacle. It is recognized as the oldest Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in continuous use and, together with the adjacent tithing office, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1970.
Visiting
The chapel stands at the corner of Main and Grass Valley streets in the small mountain community of Pine Valley, roughly 35 miles north of St. George at the base of the Pine Valley Mountains. Its distinctive New England-style architecture makes it a popular photography and heritage stop, especially when paired with a visit to the nearby Pine Valley Recreation Area.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Pine Valley Chapel?
It was designed and built in 1868 by Ebenezer Bryce, a Scottish shipbuilder and Latter-day Saint convert who later gave his name to Bryce Canyon.
Why is the chapel historically significant?
It is the oldest Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in continuous use and was constructed with shipbuilding techniques using wooden pegs and rawhide instead of nails. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Address
Main Street and Grass Valley StreetPine Valley, UT