Beaver Relief Society Meetinghouse

The Beaver Relief Society Meetinghouse, built in 1896, is significant as one of only two buildings associated with the Beaver Relief Society, an important organization for women within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This group was organized in Beaver in the 1860s as a relief arm of the church, charged with visiting the sick, caring for the needy, and working as necessary for the general benefit of church members. The meetinghouse remains as one of the oldest religious buildings in Beaver and in the context of stone construction in the town, is the only Relief Society structure built of stone (the other is the East Ward Hall, Site # 36, of brick). The stones in this building exhibit fine tooling around the edges with the centers remaining rusticated. The Beaver Relief Society Meetinghouse remains as the only symbol of the single relief society institution in the town of Beaver.

With the call of John Riggs Murdock to head the Mormon settlement of Beaver in the 1860s, came a permanence that was reflected in the use of stone as a stable building material. Institutions also mirrored this progression, with the Beaver Relief Society as a primary example. Under Murdock's leadership, the society was organized in 1868. This action came as a result of the desire of the LDS Church general authorities to have female relief societies organized in all wards and branches of the church. Their primary function was to tend to the physical relief of church members. They were to visit the sick and needy, make quilts, clothing, etc. for those in need, and provide assistance where needed for the general welfare of the church. In Beaver, such a group provided yet another element of security and permanence to that fledgling community.

Built in 1896, the meetinghouse was used for general gathering purposes. Projects were undertaken there, as well as meetings. The building was constructed of pink tuff stone, with individual stones exhibiting an inch of finely tooled work around edges, while centers were left with a rusticated appearance. Stone, as a material, represented Beaver's evolution into a per

As a result of the town's growth, the Beaver Ward was divided in 1905, with the creation of the East Ward and West Ward. This subdivision also led to the split of the Beaver Relief Society into two organizations. Thus, the new societies left this structure and each built their own, with the East Ward Relief Society Meeting hall, erected in 1909, the only one of those two still in existence. The East Ward hall, however, was built of brick.

The Beaver Relief Society Meetinghouse served other purposes. It was used by the Board of Education in Beaver, functioned as a feed and grain firm, and served uses for Beaver City. In 1977 the structure received a north addition, compatible in materials, style, design, massing, etc. to the original, and was converted into the Beaver Fire Station. Such an adaptation has not destroyed the historic integrity of the original portion, but has, in fact, insured its survival.