Established 1865
The first non-LDS church in the Utah Territory was the First
Congregational Church’s Home Mission Society. The Reverend Norman McLeod came to the
territory under their auspices from Denver by overland stage. He preached the
first sermon on the third Sunday in January 1865 at the rented quarter of the Young
Men’s Literary Association located in Draft’s Hall on the second floor of
Draft’s Store on Main Street (East Temple Street)
Within a month, meetings were held to establish a Sunday School, to form a
Society for general management to hold property in trust, to adopt a
constitution, and to elect trustees for the church. It was greeted with
enthusiasm and support by people of many faiths.
Before the end of the first year, property was purchased for $2,500 on the south
side of third South just west of Main street. Independence Hall, an adobe
building, seated 200 people and was built for the sum of $5,000 far enough south
from the street to accommodate horses and buggies.
Reverend McLeod conducted the first Sunday School worship services in the hall on
November 18,1865. In addition to regular congregational services, many literary,
fraternal, political, and civic meetings as well as dances, programs, and
schools were held in Independence Hall. Various Protestant, Roman Catholic, and
Jewish congregations held their religious services at the hall until their own
facilities were constructed.
Recognizing the need for education when no territorial revenue was set aside for
it, the Congregationalists established free schools with trained teachers,
standard books, and regulation school terms. These schools were open to all
children in the valley. Money was raised to build additional rooms at
Independence Hall and Hammond Hall (Congregational High School).
In 1889 the church decided to sell Independence Hall. This decision resulted
from the desirability of larger and better facilities, and the recognition of
the economic climate for the sale of downtown property with the expansion of the
business district to the south.
The Congregational Church met in the Walker Opera House until that building was
destroyed by fire (July 1890). They met in the Salt Lake Theater a short time
and in Hammond Hall until services could be held in the Sunday School portion of
the incomplete new church building on the corner of 100 South and 400 East.
The new sanctuary was first used in May 1892. At the time of its installation,
their Farrand and Votey pipe organ was the largest in the state. A detailed
stained-glass window portraying “The Walk to Emaus” was dedicated to the memory
of Colonel O.C. Hollister for his long and loyal devotion to the interest of
church, state, and school.
The increase in members and activities brought the decision to erect a new
church building to meet these needs. Property was purchased and constructed on
the new church building was completed (1965) before the older one was vacated.
The magnificent organ (including chimes) and the beautiful stained-glass window
moved with the congregation to become an integral part of the new, modernistic
sanctuary at 2150 South Foothill Drive. The Independence Hall pulpit is now
serving in the narthex to hold the guest book for friends and visitors to the
First Congregational Church of Salt Lake City.
First Congregational Church
2150 S Foothill Dr SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84109-3955
(801) 487-1357
Telephone:
801-582-3100 ♦ TTY: 711 ♦
Fax: 801-583-0412