Schoolhouse

The original small schoolhouse built in 1819 in Kirtland was also a community center. It was a place of learning, gathering, and worship. It served both civic and sacred functions for those living in Kirtland. It was where elections and public meetings occurred, where children attended school, and where locals gathered for worship services.

Children came to school typically from the beginning of fall to spring, working around the busier crop seasons. In addition to classes for younger members of the community, adult classes were likely also offered. The building also served civic functions; for example, it acted as a polling place for elections. Oliver Cowdery is known to have been a polling officer at the schoolhouse polling station.

Church functions held at the schoolhouse likely included Sabbath morning meetings, sacrament meetings, prayer meetings, and conferences. Even after the Kirtland Temple’s dedication, this building continued to be used as a space for worship.

The schoolhouse is a replica of the original structure built in 1819 and is located a bit farther west than where the original stood.

What to Expect

The schoolhouse is part of the guided tour given by missionaries at Historic Kirtland.

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