The First Congregational Church—recognized as the oldest non-Latter-day Saint congregation in Utah—continues to maintain its active fellowship in Salt Lake City, even as its physical footprints across the capital have transformed over more than a century and a half.
Tracing its origins back to 1865, the historic congregation first established a foothold when a Protestant pastor rented public space to minister to residents outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Early supporters pooled resources from local donors and sister churches across California and the Eastern United States to construct Independence Hall at 300 South and Main Street, seating up to 200 worshipers for its inaugural service on Nov. 18, 1865, led by Rev. Norman McLeod.
From Independence Hall to The Stone Church
During the late 19th century, Independence Hall functioned as a vital hub for diverse religious and secular assemblies, hosting early Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish, and Methodist gatherings, alongside Salt Lake City’s inaugural public school. As other denominations eventually established their own separate parishes, the Congregationalists remained the sole occupants before selling the property in 1889.
The congregation subsequently relocated to a prominent gray sandstone structure on the corner of 100 South and 400 East, affectionately dubbed “The Stone Church,” which opened its doors in 1892. Built using intricate Romanesque architecture, the sanctuary featured an octagonal layout, a massive pipe organ, a main floor accommodating 550 individuals, and an upper balcony holding 250 additional seats. Historic artifacts, including the original pulpit from Independence Hall, were carefully transferred to the new sanctuary.
By the 1960s, shifting demographics and growth prompted members to seek a modern facility equipped with a gymnasium and expanded Sunday school classrooms. The cornerstone for a third home along Foothill Drive was laid in 1965. Shortly after the congregation transitioned, “The Stone Church” suffered severe fire damage, though demolition plans were already underway. Salvaged items included the pipe organ and a stained-glass window titled “The Road to Emmaus.”
Transitioning to a Shared Future
Decades later, escalating maintenance expenses at the Foothill Drive property compelled church leadership to reevaluate the expansive facility. In 2022, the congregation sold the building for $500,000 to the Crossroads Urban Center, with proceeds designated to support local social services and neighborhood outreach initiatives. The property is slated for future redevelopment into affordable housing.
True to its resilient history, the congregation has not faltered. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the historic “The Road to Emmaus” stained-glass window for installation in a Utah temple, while the historic pipe organ found a new home at the Provo Community Church. Meanwhile, the foundational cornerstone from the 1965 building was carefully extracted and placed outside St. John Hall.
Today, the historic congregation gathers inside All Saints Episcopal Church, renting space for worship services and collaborating on local community projects.
