Alpine Tabernacle marks 100 years

It's a 100th birthday party and everyone is invited.

The Alpine Tabernacle at 110 E. Main St. in American Fork was opened in 1914. In celebration of its centennial, there will be tours of the building Oct. 11, and a fireside and program featuring former LDS Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck on Oct. 12.

The Alpine Tabernacle is the last tabernacle remaining in Utah County.

The Alpine Stake was organized Jan. 13, 1901, and had been part of the Utah Stake, which took in the entire valley. The Alpine Stake included the north part of Utah County, covering what now is Lindon to Cedar Valley.

All presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Joseph F. Smith to Thomas S. Monson have spoken at the tabernacle's pulpit, either as presidents or apostles.

"Ten of the men who have served as presidents of the church spoke here," said Allen C. Christensen, who wrote a history of the tabernacle.

"The sacrifices that went into the building were rather remarkable."

Sacrifices included not only the monetary contributions, but the volunteer labor. The cost of the building was $81,254. The four wards in American Fork were asked to contribute half of those costs.

In November 1914, there was an autumn festival to help finish paying for the building.

Christensen quoted a story from the American Fork Citizen, which told about the festival and put the monetary amounts into perspective.

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Alpine Tabernacle marks 100 years