Mormon chapels create sacred space and, through their design and composition, communicate subtle messages about what and whom the Church values. The influence of Mormon chapels on the worship experience will be compared with architecturally created sacred spaces from other religious traditions. The design of Mormon church buildings and the size, placement, and furnishings of specific rooms reflect the gender bias in the Church. These architecturally reinforced prejudices frequently lead to practical problems for Primary and young Women leaders. We will discuss alternatives to chapel design that may solve these problems. We will conclude the session with a slide show of Mormon chapels with unique steeples and facades.

Tamara Taysom