Rexburg divided on the fate of the old seminary building
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REXBURG — An aging seminary building, which has also served as offices for Madison School District 321, is still up for sale as the Urban Renewal Agency, which now owns the property, weighs what to do next.
Bids to sell the Madison School District’s 5.7-acre property as 3 separate parcels opened around November 2025. The Rexburg URA spent $5.7 million to purchase two parcels, one of which includes the land on which the old seminary building stands at 39 North 1st West, Rexburg.
Since then, the property has gone largely unnoticed until recent discussions about possibly demolishing the building have revived the conversation among Rexburg citizens, the Rexburg Historical Preservation Commission and the Rexburg URA.
“We purchased that in the spring with the idea that we would be doing a redevelopment,” Rexburg URA Administrator Scott Miller said.
The Rexburg HPC has attended several meetings and discussions where they have given presentations proposing the preservation of the historical landmark. While neither the Rexburg URA nor the city has ruled out this possibility, some concerns have been raised.
“We already have two buildings we’re trying to take care of,” Rexburg city spokesman Scott Johnson said. “We don’t have the ability to do that one as well.”
Two buildings, namely the Romance Theater and Rexburg Tabernacle, according to Johnson, have already fallen behind on available funding to maintain as much as the city would like. Johnson has said the tabernacle already has a bill of up to $14,000 for restoration projects that have not received enough donations or funding.
“No one is looking to tear it down per se, it’s just a matter of does it make sense to financially save (the old seminary building),” Johnson said.
On the other hand, Terri Wilding, a Rexburg citizen with an interest in history, has expressed concern about its demolition.
Wilding has commented that the city council has no interest in preserving history, and that so much had already been lost due to the Teton Dam Flood 50 years ago.
Rather than demolishing it, Wilding would like to see the old seminary building turned into a museum or gift shop, as it has historical significance and existing amenities, unlike other possible buildings.
Keith Wilding, Terri’s husband, also commented on the desire to see the flood museum reopen in the old seminary building and serve as an information center.
“It could be used for a visitor center,” Keith said. “Rexburg is one of the oldest cities around here … but as of now, there is no museum.”
Currently, the artifacts and records related to Rexburg and the Teton Dam Flood are either in storage or on a small display in City Hall.
While preserving history is important, President of the Historical Society Doug Ladle commented that preserving it through publications, newsletters, and events such as firesides is a better approach than relying on buildings.
“The building is a great reminder of what we once had, but its value to preserve and promote history to me is not as important as (other things).”
There is still no confirmed date or statement about whether the demolition will occur or when.
“It is very likely it will not be saved,” Ladle said. “Only because to restore the building or even move the building there’s millions of dollars … we don’t have that kind of money floating around.”