The Wells Ward was created in June 1919 and at the same time it was announced that “plans for the immediate building of a meeting house will be completed within a few days” (L.D.S. create). It was true, only 16 days later (July), the location of the new building on 500 East near 2100 South was announced and “plans are already being drawn” (L.D.S. ward will). The next month (August), the cost ($40,000) and architects (Rutherford & Ashton) were announced (Wells Ward plans $40,000).

In that period, a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse typically included both a chapel and an amusement hall (later called a recreation hall) for sports, theater, and overflow chapel seating. The 1919 blueprints show both the chapel and the amusement hall, though the chapel is clearly marked “This section omitted under this contract” (Special collections).

Groundbreaking was held in October. At that point, the cost was lower at $35,000 and the scope was smaller (only the amusement hall and classrooms without the chapel )(Ground broken). This was not an uncommon decision: manage cash flow by building the amusement hall first and use it as a temporary chapel until the permanent chapel could be financed and built.

The congregation met in a nearby home with hopes of holding services in the new amusement hall for the 1919 holiday season. However, the amusement hall complex wasn’t completed until March 1920. The building was designed in a “muted neo-Jacobethan style” (2024 most endangered) and consisted of twelve classrooms, a large stage and dance hall (with motion picture capabilities). All windows were glazed and stained with biblical figures. The rear of the hall had a large balcony shaded by large apple trees (Wells Ward plans new building).

As was typical for Latter-day Saint structures, the building couldn’t be dedicated, nor could the chapel be built, until the original debt had been cleared (Wells Ward plans new building). Finally, in 1926, the design for the chapel addition was detailed, and the structure was built and dedicated.

The amusement hall, along with the chapel, were severely damaged in the 2020 earthquake. The building was condemned and after 18 months of analysis, the LDS church decided to sell it with the stipulation that the builder demolish the structure. Unfortunately, before any sale went through the structure burned in May 2024 (2024 most endangered).