Here, before us, stands the historic Garden Park Ward. It is also known as the Cloverdell Chapel. Have you ever felt like you have found a secret garden? I once biked past a church building and felt that way. The Garden Park Ward was hidden in the middle of a neighborhood. It had the most incredible grounds.
The Garden Park Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has an important place in Salt Lake City’s history. From the 1850s, it served as a private building for political and religious meetings. Now, it is a meeting house and event center.
Let’s delve into the history of this beautiful place. Brigham Young conveyed his deeded property to his younger brother Lorenzo Dow Young in 1857. In 1880, Lorenzo’s daughter Josephine Young Carter acquired it. She then transferred 21 acres to Le Grand Young. Le Grand was Brigham Young’s nephew and general legal counsel to the LDS church. Le Grand and Lorenzo planted trees. Many of these trees remain on this site.
In 1918, John C. Howard bought the property. He enlarged the home. He added the walls and smaller buildings. In 1928, the estate was bought for the Garden Park Ward Chapel. President Heber J. Grant dedicated it on April 2, 1939. The chapel stands on a foundation constructed for the Howard mansion.
The oak grove provides a place of worship with historical ties to pioneer days. The giant trees and stream add to the charm. There is also a pond, walks, walls, and gardens.
President Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the Garden Park Ward building and grounds on January 20, 2008. This was his last public appearance before his passing on January 27, 2008.
Notice the Scout House. It is sometimes called the Carriage House. It is unknown if this was the original house on the property. John Howard may have enlarged it. The picture from 1941 shows that it includes an additional wing.
One interesting feature of the Cloverdell Chapel is the seating. Unlike most LDS chapels, this one has seats instead of pews. They remained after the 2008 renovation. They are still in place.
The best part of the Cloverdell Chapel is the gardens in the back. It is a popular place to take wedding photos. It is common to see a bride or two roaming around. The chapel is available for wedding receptions. But only individuals that live within the stake boundaries can use it. Anyone can take photos on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays.
The Red Butte Creek flows through the Cloverdell Chapel grounds. It has been the scene of a recent environmental controversy.
The grounds are open to the public every day except Sunday. People come to enjoy the leisure and beauty. The gardens are beautiful. Many flowers, trees, and even statues can be appreciated. They can be photographed. On Sundays, the building is used for worship for the LDS church. Very few members have the privilege of using the building as their meeting house.
The use of the park is greatest during warm summer weeknights. Weddings and receptions are held on the property. They take place within the beautiful gardens.
The Cloverdell Chapel is more than just a church building. It is a source of beauty and peace. It is an important part of Salt Lake City’s history. Its gardens and historical significance make it a unique and cherished landmark.