Our History
The History of First Congregational Church
By Mary Dawn Coleman
The homely adobe building on Third South just west of Main Street belonging to the First Congregational Church of this city, popularly known as Independence Hall, is one of the remarkable buildings of Utah.
It was the first crystallization in bricks and mortar of Gentile tendencies in Salt Lake, social, religious and political. It was the point, if not the seed, whence started the Christian churches and scores of connected schools now among the most powerful influences affecting the destiny of this territory." These words were written by Ovando James Hollister (journalist and government appointee) sixteen years after the Congregational Church was organized and Independence Hall was built.
On January 22, 1865, Rev. Norman McLeod preached his first sermon upstairs in Daft Store where the Young Men's Literary Association held their meetings. Church and Sunday School rapidly outgrew the rented quarlers and in less than a year after McLeod's arrival, Independence Hall was built. The first church services were held on November 26, 1865.
Being the only Gentile church building for many years, it was made available to fraternal organizations such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, to young people's conventions and teachers' organizations, and to political candidates and causes. Free to all children, Congregational schools were conducted there and in many locations throughout the territory.
Later a magnificent Romanesque church was built of Kyune sandstone on the southeast corner of First South and Fourth East during Rev. J. Branard Thrall's nine-year pastorate.
During the pastorate of Dr. Elmer I. Goshen (1903-1937), Salt Lake's first Boy Scout troop was formed, Alcoholics Anonymous and a free employment service were begun in the church. Dr. Goshen presented a liberal interpretation of the Bible with an apt application to everyday life. This liberal Congregational tradition has been nurtured by eight more pastors during this century including the current pastor, Rev. Art Ritter.
The first Non-Mormon church in Utah Territory was The First Congregational Church. Reverend Norman McLeod came under the auspices of the Home Mission Society from Denver by overland stage. He preached the first sermon the third Sunday in January 1865 in the rented quarters of the Young Men's Literary Association. This was in Daft's Hall, the second floor of Daft's Store on Main Street.
Within a month meetings were held to establish a Sunday School which soon had a regular attendance of over 100, form a society for general management and to hold property in trust, adopt a constitution and elect trustees for the church. Being the only non-Mormon religious organization in the valley, it was greeted with enthusiasm and support by people of many faiths.
Before the end of the first year property was purchased on the south side of Third South just west of East Temple (now Main Street) for $2500. An apostate Mormon Samuel J. Lees sold this land to John Titus, P. Edward Conner, William Sloan, John W. Kerr, Harold Livingston, Samuel Kahn, J. Mechling, Dr. Grisward and George W. Carlston, trustees of the First Congregational Church and the First Christian Society connected with the church. It is interesting to note that prominent Catholics and Jews served as trustees of the organization.
Independence Hall, an adobe building 33 feet wide and 57 feet long seating 200 people, was built on this property far enough south of the street to accommodate horses and buggies-.' There was a long board walk leading from Third South to the entrance of the $5,000 building.
The Congregational Sunday School with Dr. J. King Robinson as superintendent met there the week before the completion of the building. The first Sunday worship-service was conducted in the hall by Rev. McLeod on November 18, 1865.
In addition to church and Sunday School many literary, fraternal, political and civic meetings, dances, programs and schools were held in Independence Hall. In this building Jewish, Catholic and various Protestant churches held activities until they built their own facilities.
Rev. Walter H. Barrows followed Rev. McLeod as Congregational minister. He stayed seven years and the church became completely self supporting and very active in missionary schools.
When the Congregationalists were organized in the Territory of Utah, they recognized the need to provide education for the children. Prior to that, the only schools in the valley were private fee schools. Attendance was small and teaching limited. No territorial revenue was set aside for schools and few children had the opportunity to attend school. The Congregational Church and the Congregational New West Education Commission in Chicago operated many free schools with trained teachers, standard books and regulation school terms. There were 28 in 1889 and they were free to all children. Church services were held in some of the schools on Sundays. Pilgrim Day School was on the corner of Fifth South and Seventh East. Phillips Congregational Church was built on that property later. Though used as commercial property now, its church architecture is recognizable. Members of Phillips Congregational Church joined First Congregational Church in 1952.
In 1881 the Congregational Chinese Sunday and Evening Schools were started over a Chinese store--then moved to Independence Hall- -then to the new Congregational Church where they found it "most comfortable and pleasant during all seasons, being well heated and lighted with electric lights." This school taught English as well as basic education to the Chinese. It met five evenings a week for general education and two for Bible study.
The Congregational trustees incorporated the Salt Lake Academy and built three school rooms on to Independence Hall while Rev. Barrows was minister. Money was raised for Hammond Hall of the Salt Lake Academy on Third South and Third East. In 1894 the work of Salt Lake College was begun in Hammond Hall.
Congregational Church membership and activities continued to thrive with Rev. J. Brainard Thrall as minister from 1884 to 1893. The Salt Lake Tribune described him as "an eloquent preacher of deep thought, liberal views and the tolerance of a true Christian."
In 1889 the Church decided to sell Independence Hall--the adobe building that had been used for benevolent, educational, patriotic, religious, fraternal, social and political purposes since 1865. This decision resulted from the desirability of larger and better facilities and 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 in July 1890, in the Salt Lake Theatre a short time and in Hammond Hall, home of the Salt Lake Academy (Congregational High School) until services could be held in the Sunday School portion of the uncompleted new church on the corner of First South and Fourth East.
Dr. Goshen was instrumental in organizing a Boy Scout troop, Red Cross activities and a free employment agency at the church.
With a church membership of 917 and many non-members--even from 60 miles away attending, not everyone who came could get into the church. For six years the worship services were held at the Pantages Theater (now the Utah). Thousands attended to hear the dynamic speaker who gave them hope and courage, and inspired them to lead more useful lives.
For twenty years including World War II the Rev. George J. Weber was minister giving tirelessly to the church, it members and the community. Notably among the church organizations during his ministry was the Men's Club (dinner and prominent speaker) to which one hundred men--Catholics, Methodists, an Episcopal bishop, as well as Congregationalists came one Wednesday a month. Rev. Weber conducted Sunday evening vesper services where a symbolic communion service was available. He carried on the liberal applicable-to-daily life traditions of the local church weaving the beauty of nature and wonders of God's world into his sermons. He was well known in the community, spoke often to groups outside the church and did much to establish rapport between the people of various faiths.
When Rev. Frank M. Blish replaced Rev. Weber, a study of the church was done by members of the board. It indicated the need to improve the physical plant, make extensive repairs, add a gym and more Sunday School rooms. The development of Salt Lake toward the south also indicated the desirability of moving from the seventy- three year old building. Property was purchased and construction completed on the new church before the old church was vacated in 1965.
From the old church was taken the beautiful big memorial stained glass window "Road to Emmaus" and the huge pipe organ -- both of which became an integral part of the new church sanctuary. The window was put toward the front on the west side of the building where the setting sun (or special outside lighting) enhance its beauty. It brings a continuity of place of worship to those who sadly left their more traditional church home.
During the installation of the organ some members of the church helped with detail work such as releathering values. The console was replaced. Ten years later a pile of what appeared to be sections of pipes of various lengths, found in the organ loft, was determined to be a set of chimes. There were no chimes in the church at its First South location because the contract of sale for the property for that building in 1890 included a clause excluding the use of a church bell. No doubt chimes were included in the purchase of the original organ as specified by Professor Radcliffe but they were not installed in the bell tower in compliance with the contract. The chimes were installed in the organ loft at the new location and connected with the organ console so that the chimes can be played as a regular part of the organ.
The pulpit originally in Independence Hall again was moved in 1965--this time to the narthax of the modernistic building of brick and concrete at 2150 Foothill Drive. The guest book is on it.
Rev. Louis Gerhardt was at First Congregational Church for a short but powerful ministry. He preached that today's Christians must keep open minds and open hearts.
During his five year ministry Rev. Douglas L. Lobb upheld the importance of a liberal voice in the valley. He enlarged the young people's activities and started a weekly Men's Breakfast at which the men took turns cooking. He had weekly hour-long discussions in the fireside room during Lent.
During Rev. Karl D. Schimpf's eight year tenure an energetic development of space under the sanctuary was done evenings and weekends by members of the congregation. Under the leadership of conscientious church member Robert E. Stoyer, floors, walls, windows, doors, electrical and plumbing work were done for youth meeting rooms, a small kitchen and large area for meeting or dining.
Rev. Schimpf expanded the weekly Lenten meetings to include a pot luck dinner and sermon follow by basket ball and other activities.
Dr. Peter R.K. Brenner became minister in August, 1983. In the Congregtional tradition of Faith, Freedom and Fellowship, he made people of varying degrees of conservative and liberal thinking comfortable with his sermons. Realizing the growing need for child care, the lower floor and outside were modified for Mayflower preschool and day care. Most of the work was done by members of the church evenings and weekends. It was very strictly regulated by various state and local health and safety boards.
During Rev. Brenner's seven years as minister, the Mayflower Library was greatly expanded. Members of the congregation contributed new books appropriate for a child on his birthday, or for an adult on a special day.
In July 1990 Rev. Brenner accepted a call to the Congregational Church in Charlotte, Michigan. At that time Associate Minister Rev. Robert Coates and interim ministers began taking care of pastoral needs of the congregation and conducting the worship services.
Dr. Robert B. Coates accepted the call as minister beginning December 1, 1990. With education and experience in other fields as well as religion, he presents pragmatic thoughts in meetings, counseling and sermons. He is a compassionate leader of the growing congregation who involves many in the ministry of the church and the community. Adult education miniseries, women's support group, men's breakfast, Out and About, Pilgrim Fellowship (youth), and the book group are vibrant cogs tha intermesh members and friends, as do working in community projects like Habitat for Humanity and the food programs. Included in the community projects is the Reading Room for the Blind which uses the fireside room and kitchen three days a week to provide music, lunch and literature to visually-impaired adults.
Rev. Art Ritter became pastor in February of 1999. Under Art's stewardship, the Congregational Church extended its hospitality to good causes and organizations, continuing the public-spirited work of the founders in Independence Hall.
In May 2007 Rev. Ritter accepted a call to the Congregational Church in Novi, Michigan beginning in August of 2007. Search committees have been appointed to find an interim minister to began taking care of pastoral needs of the congregation and conducting the worship services while a permanent minister can be found.
