History of First Presbyterian Church
of Salt Lake City, Utah.
In July of 1871, Rev. Sheldon Jackson, visited Salt Lake City and
recommended to the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church
that a church be organized. On October 1, 1871, Rev. Josiah Welch came
to Salt Lake City and on the next Sunday preached in Faust's Hall, over
Mulloy and Paul's Livery Stable, to twelve people. Brigham Young had
closed to the Gentiles every hall and public place in the city so this
unsavory stable was the only place available. On November 12, 1871, the
First Presbyterian Church was organized with twelve members.
The Rev. Josiah Welch's assignment to organize and establish the new
church and to build a new house of worship was realized on Sunday
morning, October 11, 1874, when the new building on the corner of Second
South and Second East was dedicated. It was the third anniversary of the
first Presbyterian service held in the city. The total cost of the building and
lot was $29,500. The facility was built to accommodate over 500
worshippers.
On April 12, 1875 Professor John M. Coyner opened The Collegiate
Institute in the basement of the new church. The school prospered, as did
other mission schools established by the Presbyterians throughout the
territory. By 1889-90, the Presbyterians had 36 mission schools and four
academies and had served over 50,000 children. The Collegiate Institute
later became Westminster College and moved to its present location at 13th East and 17th South.
Through tumultuous times the church continued to grow in membership.
Following statehood in 1896, the congregation began consideration of a
new church home on the corner of C Street and East South Temple. Mr.
Walter Ware, prominent Salt Lake architect, designed the building in the
English-Scottish gothic revival style, modeling it after the Carlisle Cathedral
in England. Alexander Carpenter, a member of the Church, was the builder.
Red sandstone from Red Butte Canyon above Fort Douglas was cut and
hauled to the C Street site by wagon. The cost for the building and lot was
$175,000. When the cornerstone was laid on June 4, 1903, the
membership then exceeded 500 and more than 700 were enrolled in the
Sunday School.
On April 16, 1905, one thousand strong marched from the old church to the
beautiful new church for the first service. With the completion of the
sanctuary, the church was formally dedicated on May 12, 1906.
The stained glass windows were installed by R.T. Giles and Co. of
Minneapolis, Minnesota before Easter in 1906.
The seven memorial windows in the sanctuary's colonnade cost $250
each. They represent the chronological life of Christ: a) Madonna and
Child, b) Jesus Disputing with the Doctors in the Temple, c) The
Beseeching Christ, d) The Seeking Christ, e) the Good Shepherd, f) The
Light of the World, and g) Ascension into Heaven.
On October 10, 1906 a powerful storm blew out the east window in the
sanctuary and for a period of six months no services could be held there.
Three crosses were added to the original design of the window, at a
replacement cost exceeding $3,000.
The $8,000 Bennett organ was dedicated on April 10, 1911 at an organ
concert that was "the" social event of the year with 900 people attending. It
now has 3 manuals, 45 stops and over 2,000 pipes. It was electrified in
1926. The chimes were dedicated in 1969 as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs.
Vernon Bowe. In 1990, a new electronic Schantz organ console was
installed.
On the 50th anniversary of the church, November 13, 1921, services of
rededication were held and the certificate of indebtedness was burned.
Leadership of the church up to this time had been provided by a series of
able pastors: Rev. Welch, Rev. R. G. McNiece and Dr. Alexander Paden,
Rev. George Davies, Dr. Jesse Baird, Rev. Theodore Lilley, Rev. Floyd
Barr and Rev. Malcolm Gwaltney continued this leadership through 1953.
During the ministry of Dr. Alvin Morris in 1957 the church edifice was
enlarged with an addition to the north and modernization of the interior
space of the original structure. The First Presbyterian Church had elected
to remain a downtown church and this new-type community necessitated
changes in its ministry. The additional space permitted accommodation of
numerous activities, including the Antique Show, an annual activity
sponsored by the Women's Association for over twenty-five years.
Rev. Walter Kalvesmaki, Dr. Ernest W. Remley, Rev. Thomas Jackson,
Rev. James Moore, and Dr. Harry Sweitzer continued leadership.
The One-Hundredth anniversary of the founding of the church was
celebrated in October and November of 1971 with special services and
programs. Since the celebration of its centennial the church has moved
forward in its mission.
Under the pastorate of Dr. Donald H. Baird, the present restoration and
renovation of the building was begun. Programs were expanded, innovative
worship introduced (such as Kirik'O'th'Tartan which celebrates Presbyterian
Scottish heritage and a contemporary service) and dialogue with the LDS
church renewed. These programs were continued under the pastorate of
Rev. Bill Alexander with a renewed vision for the restoration of the building, which has been continued through the interim ministries of Rev. David Marx and Rev. Charles Hammond.
Important as a historical site, the building is also actively used and enjoyed
by the community. The sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church is noted for
its fine acoustics and is used extensively for concerts and recitals.
Visitors are always welcome at First Presbyterian Church. Office hours are
Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Worship services are at 9:00 and 11:00 am and Christian Education classes are at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings. For more information about the many other programs of First Presbyterian Church, please contact the church office, 363-3889.
Read more about the Pastors of First Presbyterian Church.
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