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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
(Part 3)
By Mary Dawn Coleman

(click on italicized names and phrases to view pictures)

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.

< History - Part 2 | History - Part 1 >

 

 

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