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Light the Beacon: The Vision Begins

ELLIS KECK, Pastor Emeritus and Honorary Chair:

First Baptist Church is a congregation of caring people who have a noble history of demonstrated concern for the well-being of all people. When the current building was being contemplated, it was noted that there was a need in the valley for a place where people of all faiths and creeds could be married. Skaggs Chapel was not an after-thought -- it was planned from the beginning as an exquisite place where brides and grooms may unite their lives. First Baptist clergy and lay ministry have a history of quickly responding to appeals for help. Nurses and social workers know that a phone call will bring a caring person to the side of a dying patient or a sick child at any time of the day or night. Whether it is for use of class rooms, the gymnasium or the Sanctuary, community groups needing meeting space know that their requests will be accommodated if at all possible. First Baptist's edifice, congregation, staff and equipment serve not only the membership but also the community's needs. This caring place, filled with caring people, invites anyone looking for a place of belonging to experience a loving and welcoming home.

Since its doors first opened a half-century ago, First Baptist Church has served a dual mission as sacred space to strengthen souls and as common ground to strengthen our community. While the spirit inside still shines as bright as ever, the physical building is showing its age. It must be renewed in order to fulfill its mission of worship, stewardship and community service for coming generations.

1950 Original Construction Founded by thirteen Baptist pioneers, First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City held its first meeting in a hall over a blacksmith shop on May 31, 1883. The cornerstone of the first building, located at 200 South and 200 West, was dedicated in 1884. In the early 1900s, the congregation merged with one of its mission churches to form Immanuel Baptist Church. This congregation met in a Jewish synagogue until the new "church with the columns" could be erected at the corner of 400 East and 200 South.

Shortly after the calling of Dr. Fenwick T. Fowler as pastor in 1946, the church began to have phenomenal growth, which created a need for an expanded facility. A generous community donation in 1950 enabled the congregation to purchase land at the corner of 1300 East and 800 South, located diagonally from East High School. The congregation first moved into the unfinished building in September 1952, with the first service of worship held in a drafty, windowless sanctuary on a windy and cold January 1953 morning.

Church members donated many hours of labor in the building of the existing First Baptist Church facility. Money was scarce so the men were asked to give personal labor in lieu of paying for weddings, while the women opened a thrift shop, served turkey dinners, sold parcels, and wrote to friends for donations. Community leaders and business firms donated money. Members mortgaged homes and made many sacrifices to build "a beacon on the hill." These sacrifices are held dear in the tradition of First Baptist Church.
The First Baptist Church building has served as a community gathering place, a home for spiritual growth and common ground to connect members of the community from all walks of life since being dedicated on April 25, 1954.

Much has changed since 1954. No longer is 1300 East a quiet street where churchgoers once parked and strolled to the front entry of the building. This change has forced the original "back door" to be used as the main entry, creating awkward, confusing and physically challenging routes into the building. Parents bringing children to the church's Child Care Center have to endure a daily gauntlet of chuckholes in the outdated parking lot.

Renovation is needed to make sure the building remains vital and usable for its next half century of service.

HATTIE LAYTON, Member for 63 years:

In 1950, the congregation came together to build the "Beacon on the Hill." The needs were there and we all were aware of them. We were apprehensive and scared. Money was scarce. Some of us had just bought our first home. Others had children in school and college. Regardless, all of us were asked to give what we could, plus more. Gifts were made for the land to start the chapel. Several families took second mortgages on their homes. And as one dollar, ten dollars, fifty dollars became one hundred then a thousand, it grew over the years and we now have this beautiful building. If we put our hand in God's hands he will see that we accomplish our new endeavor.

Renovation Project Costs

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City is grateful to its many generous donors and community partners. Our campaign staff is available to answer any questions you may have about making a gift to the campaign.

  • Gifts to First Baptist Church can be made over a period of up to three years through pledges. Donors are welcome to make payments in quarterly, semiannual or annual installments, or by any other payment schedule desired.
  • Gifts of cash are fully tax-deductible and should be made payable to the Brighter Beacon Fund.
  • Gifts of capital gains property, such as real estate or securities are welcome. This type of donation may be advantageous from a tax standpoint. Consult your accountant or attorney to determine your particular situation.
  • Donors may arrange for gifts to be made by businesses. In addition, many companies have established matching gifts programs to match or multiply donations made by active or retired employees and directors. Consult your company's human resources department for information on their matching gifts program.
  • Gifts through one's will or through estate planning may create an opportunity to minimize estate or gift tax, or to offset income tax.
  • A gift in recognition of a friend or family member is a thoughtful contribution, and an appropriate way to recognize someone's life and accomplishments.



View of New Addition


Site Plan

RICK SPRATLING, Renovation Campaign Chair:

There is a beacon tower atop First Baptist Church. At night it can be seen for miles. But for Salt Lake's East Side community the beacon is more than just wires and lights. It is a signal that all are welcome without condition, just as Jesus opened his arms to all. Beneath the First Baptist beacon, my own Christian faith first took root. Within those walls I was baptized and married, saw my wife and children baptized and said farewell to people I loved. It is the place where I learned that embracing another human being is the first step toward embracing Christ.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SALT LAKE CITY

MINISTRY
First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City is a loving, growing congregation of Christian disciples whose arms are open to embrace everyone. Its mission is to "be disciples, making disciples." As a member of the Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches, First Baptist provides opportunities for deepening the beliefs of its members and others who seek a life of faith, service, sanctity, integrity, hope and love.

WORSHIPING TOGETHER
The worship follows the yearly cycle of remembrance and participation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. All members participate in lifting up these services of worship to God. Inspiring sermons dealing with contemporary issues combined with top-notch music keep the congregation's attention engaged.

LEARNING TOGETHER
The congregation engages in Christian learning and spiritual growth for people of every age. There are learning opportunities for children from preschool through Senior High, as well as several youth groups. Adults get together for weekday and week night learning opportunities, small group experiences, and for gatherings on Sunday.

SERVING TOGETHER
First Baptist Church's mission is to be disciples serving the world with gracious invitation, with the hard work of justice and mercy starting right outside its front door. Members have served missions outside of Utah in areas such as Alaska, South Dakota and Africa. In addition, members serve the Salt Lake community through community service activities and pastoral care at area hospitals.

In addition, the historic structure has served, and continues to serve, the community through many programs and activities:

AN EDUCATION CENTER
Seeing the enormous need for affordable child care in Salt Lake City, First Baptist established the Child Care Center in 1989. The Center accommodates 90 children from ages 4 weeks to 5 years. Its programming focuses on assisting each child in developing his or her unique abilities and seeks to meet each child's special needs. By providing a safe and loving place for children, the Center encourages Christian values and positive social interaction based upon mutual respect. While the majority of the children are not members of the congregation, their parents are drawn to the Center for the high quality care and low cost. Education, friendship, and caring can all be found here.

A COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES CENTER
Located a short distance from downtown Salt Lake City, and blocks from the University of Utah, First Baptist Church houses many organizations in need of meeting space. The Douglas Neighborhood Association, Toastmaster International and O.U.T.S. Basketball team meet regularly to enjoy networking activities with friends and associates. Those seeking support to overcome addictions meet with groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon. Community members often utilize the L.S. Skaggs Memorial Chapel, which is available to all faiths, for weddings and funerals. The list continues to grow as organizations work together to meet the evolving needs of the community.

A CULTURAL CENTER
The Sanctuary is used by numerous individuals and groups to perform in a place of visual beauty and impressive acoustics. Orchestras, soloists, and community choirs come to share all that is magnificent in the world of music in this place of worship. First Baptist Church has hosted concerts for the Salt Lake Men's Choir, BYU Alumni Choir, The Mountain Chorale and several high school Madrigal groups, as well as commencement exercises for Rowland Hall-St. Marks School.