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.

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