Sadly. The Fifth Ward Meetinghouse is gone. A part of Salt Lake City history was lost. This isn’t just any building. It was a significant landmark. Built in 1910. Designed by Cannon & Fetzer. It was more than just bricks and mortar. It was a community hub. For decades. The Fifth Ward Meetinghouse served the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Imagine. Sunday services. The hymns echoing through the Late Gothic Revival architecture. The stained glass. The quiet reverence. It was a place of faith and fellowship. A place where lives were touched. It was also a concert venue. The Pompadour. Hosting bands like Nirvana. The old building held concerts. And Tibetan Buddhist practices.
The Fifth Ward Meetinghouse. It stood on 0.48 acres of land. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. A historic marker once stood proudly. Marking its importance. It was also an official Salt Lake City Landmark. But sadly. It was illegally demolished. On Easter Sunday. March 31st 2024. The demolition was illegal. It caused outrage. A stop-work order was issued. But the damage was done.
The city’s codes require restoration. This was because of its historical significance. But the loss is profound. The Fifth Ward Meetinghouse. A building that held memories. A building that witnessed history. A building that was part of the city’s identity. It’s gone. The memory remains. The story lingers. It serves as a reminder. We must protect our heritage. We should remember and protect our history.