On Jan. 5, 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith opened a variety store in a new red brick two-story building on Water Street in Nauvoo. Because of a lack of meeting space in Nauvoo, the Red Brick Store was used for a number of purposes.
In May 1842, the Relief Society was organized there.
Then, having a strong premonition that he would not live to see the temple completed, the Prophet prepared the large room on the second story of the store for use as a temporary temple. He gave the first modern temple endowment to seven (possibly nine) brethren there on May 4, 1842.
Before Joseph's death in June 1844, 36 men and 29 women had received temple blessings.
Years later, the store fell into disrepair and was torn down around 1890. The Community of Christ rebuilt, dedicated and opened the store to the public in 1980.