For over seven decades, Wasatch has provided a welcoming church home for a diverse, vibrant group of people. A leading voice in the Salt Lake community, Wasatch has been active in community service, mission, justice issues, and worship.
Wasatch Presbyterian Church was established in 1946 by the union of two congregations, Westminster and Third Presbyterian. It had 236 charter members. According to one charter member, Mina Boyd, the inspiration for the new church’s name happened one sunny morning. “There was a little hill there. We stood looking all around. The sun was up, just beautiful, a little way over the mountains… and I said, ‘Oh, look at that beautiful sun over those beautiful Wasatch mountains.’” With its magnificent view of the Wasatch Mountains, the new church had a name. The Rev. Donald G. Christiansen, a newly discharged Army Air Force chaplain, was the first Pastor. In August 1948 they broke ground for the new church. The church sanctuary was dedicated in October 1949.
In June 1974, a tragic fire roared through the sanctuary and adjoining areas of the church. Wasatch members, friends, neighbors, and members of other churches contributed several thousand hours toward a massive cleanup. Restoration began in November 1974 and was completed in the Fall of 1975 and fully paid with a building fund drive.
In 2001, WPC’s entire building complex was inadequate and needed repair. A $3.3 million expansion and renovation project was conceived in 2001, designed in 2002, and built in 2003-2004. With a $10,000 grant from the LDS Church Foundation, a $100,000 donation from the Episcopal Diocese of Utah and a Wasatch Capital Campaign, the project was paid off in 2018.
Historic Videos & Information
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Preserving what was and looking ahead to the future.
Third Presbyterian Church was officially organized in Salt Lake City on June 19, 1892, with the Reverend Josiah McClain serving as its first pastor. However, it began as a Sabbath School in January 1892 in the Lincoln Park area with help from Salt Lake City's First Presbyterian Church.
The congregation later moved to a building at the southeast corner of 1700 South and 1100 East, utilizing the newly built Gunton Chapel.
The site is famously connected to the historic Third Presbyterian Church Parsonage located nearby at 1068 E. Blaine Avenue.
In 1946, Third Presbyterian Church joined with Westminster Presbyterian Church (organized in 1889) to form Wasatch Presbyterian Church.
CLICK HERE to read more about the history of these early churches.
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Brick by brick, the congregation built Wasatch from the ground up.
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November 1974 footage of the Sanctuary being rebuilt.
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Footage shows the pews being installed and finishing touches. The congregation returns for worship on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975.
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The newly minted hymnal book is out! An interpretive dance and more from the 202nd General Assembly. Utah wouldn’t host again until 2024.
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Video shows worship on June 30, 1996 celebrating 50 years since the merging of 3rd Church and Westminster to create Wasatch Presbyterian Church.
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Worship on June 28th recognizing the founding members of Wasatch.
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Celebration of 50 years including spoken memories of the congregation.
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Wasatch is in need of renovation and expansion. Doing what those before us have done and planting seeds for the future.
Historic records are held at the Marriott Library at the University of Utah.