Mormon Church Chandler

The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Arizona did not have their own building of worship until December 6, 1913 when as many members crowded into a classroom at the elementary school on William’s Field Road (Chandler Boulevard). Families would bring their lunch here every Sunday, and they would eat in the company of the other members while the children played under trees. This custom was to continue until the automobile replaced their wagons and buggies.

By the end of December 1913, Brother Openshaw had made arrangements to obtain a building site from Dr. Chandler. It was located on Frye Road and west of Arizona Avenue. The ward members constructed a frame building before a year had passed. Early resident, Joseph N. Skousen, describes the new church as a hall with a stage and a small classroom off either side of the stage. Curtains were hung on one side of the hall that could be pulled across to divide that area into classrooms, then pulled back for meetings and recreational activities. This building burned to the ground in 1919, probably sometime in the spring.

The records of Verda Ray Eyring record the first meeting held in the new building, at 131 East Buffalo Street, as being on Easter Sunday, April 3, 1920.

May 17, 1954 was another milestone for Chandler Ward. It marked the creation of the Chandler 2nd Ward and the beginning of sharing their building with another ward or wards. During the next twenty-one years, the two Chandler Wards met the new, roomy building.