Brattle Street Elegy: Not Your Typical Mormon Space

We drove by the church on the way home today and saw the huge water streams going into the building. The damage will be extensive. I am resolved to work hard to make sure that, when they rebuild on that spot, they go outside the approved architectural plans of the Church to respect the history and the love of that place.

It wasn’t your typical Mormon space in either the physical architecture or the spiritual composition. When you meet with people who were in some part or fashion associated with that space, there is an immediate bond, a recognition of experiencing some￾thing different. The departure from the typical Mormon church building layout was a catalyst for a departure from the culture of the Mormon West that was all that I had known before—challenging, wonderful, and deep.

The creaking floors in the hall, shifted door frames in the upstairs classrooms, and settled walls spoke to the history of the building, grounding me in a past that wasn’t really mine but which felt important to me. I was one of those people who walked on that worn carpet, sat in the balcony, and as a young person contemplated what my commitment and faith would be.

My husband and I met there, and I acquired several key pillars of my testimony there. I’m glad I showed my kids the spot. I was hoping they would someday attend there. I hope by then it will hold the same trust and promise.