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120th
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City
May 16-17, 2026
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ORGAN RECITAL

120th Celebratory Organ Recital
The Wesleyan Heritage Organ
Saturday, May 16, 2026 • 7:30 PM

The 120th Anniversary weekend began with a celebratory organ recital featuring the Wesleyan Heritage Organ and guest organists Scott R. Mills, Teresa Clawson, and Ronnie Bishop.

ORGAN RECITAL
Welcome

Welcome​​​

Celebrating 120 Years of Faith, Worship, Service, and Community

For more than a century, First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City has been a place of prayer, music, hospitality, and service. As we gather to celebrate our 120th Anniversary and the rededication of this historic sanctuary, we give thanks for all who have shaped our story and all who will carry it forward.

Welcome from Bishop Stoneking
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It is a deep joy to welcome you to this day of worship and celebration as First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City marks 120 years of faith and service. What a gift it is to gather with you in this sacred place and to witness the faith, devotion, and love of God that lives so powerfully among this congregation. For more than a century, this church has stood as a testimony to God’s presence, grace, and steadfast love. Through changing times and many generations, people have prayed here, sung here, served here, and gone forth to bless the world in the name of Jesus Christ. The components that make up this building, from the boiler to the lovingly restored organ, carry their own testimony. They have accompanied hymns of praise, warmed bodies as prayers have been offered in sorrow and thanksgiving, carried humans from one floor to the next to celebrate God’s goodness in worship, and borne witness to the beauty and story of our scriptures and tradition through stained glass. They have offered a firm foundation while lifting human hearts toward heaven. Now, renewed with care and vision, this building will continue to give voice to wonder, reverence, and joy to the glory of God. What we celebrate today did not happen by accident. It is the fruit of generosity, sacrifice, skilled labor, shared vision, and the faithful commitment of many hands and hearts. This congregation has undertaken something significant, and in doing so, you have borne witness to what love can build when offered to God. May all that we share today in word and song, in prayer and praise, in fellowship and sacrament, strengthen the weary, comfort the searching, inspire the hopeful, and draw each of us more deeply into the redeeming grace of Christ. Let us rejoice together, for God is still at work among us, making all things new.

Welcome from Pastor Kelsie

It is a deep joy to welcome you to this day of worship and celebration as First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City marks 120 years of faith and service. What a gift it is to gather with you in this sacred place and to witness the faith, devotion, and love of God that lives so powerfully among this congregation. For more than a century, this church has stood as a testimony to God’s presence, grace, and steadfast love. Through changing times and many generations, people have prayed here, sung here, served here, and gone forth to bless the world in the name of Jesus Christ. The components that make up this building, from the boiler to the lovingly restored organ, carry their own testimony. They have accompanied hymns of praise, warmed bodies as prayers have been offered in sorrow and thanksgiving, carried humans from one floor to the next to celebrate God’s goodness in worship, and borne witness to the beauty and story of our scriptures and tradition through stained glass. They have offered a firm foundation while lifting human hearts toward heaven. Now, renewed with care and vision, this building will continue to give voice to wonder, reverence, and joy to the glory of God. What we celebrate today did not happen by accident. It is the fruit of generosity, sacrifice, skilled labor, shared vision, and the faithful commitment of many hands and hearts. This congregation has undertaken something significant, and in doing so, you have borne witness to what love can build when offered to God. May all that we share today in word and song, in prayer and praise, in fellowship and sacrament, strengthen the weary, comfort the searching, inspire the hopeful, and draw each of us more deeply into the redeeming grace of Christ. Let us rejoice together, for God is still at work among us, making all things new.

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1

Marche triomphale “Nun danket alle Gott” — Sigfrid Karg-Elert

Performed by Ronnie Bishop

Audio Coming Soon

2

Clair de lune — Louis Vierne
Performed by Teresa Clawson

Audio Coming Soon

3

Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 
— Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Scott R. Mills

Audio Coming Soon

4

National Emblem March
— E. E. Bagley, arranged by Robert M. Cundick
Performed by Teresa Clawson and Scott R. Mills

Audio Coming Soon

5

Prelude on “Need” — Neil Harmon
Performed by Teresa Clawson

Audio Coming Soon

6

RHOSYMEDRE (from Three Preludes for Organ)
— Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performed by Scott R. Mills

Audio Coming Soon

7

Woodland Flute Call — Fannie Charles Dillon
Performed by Ronnie Bishop

Audio Coming Soon

8

Stars and Stripes Forever — John Philip Sousa, arranged by Robert M. Cundick
Performed by Ronnie Bishop and Scott R. Mills

Audio Coming Soon

9

The Water Is Wide (O Waly, Waly) — Traditional English Folk Melody, arranged by Ronnie Bishop
Performed by Ronnie Bishop

Audio Coming Soon

10

God of Grace (“CWM RHONDDA”) — Paul Manz
Performed by Scott R. Mills

Audio Coming Soon

11

Carillon — Louis Vierne
Performed by Teresa Clawson

Audio Coming Soon

Scott R. Mills, CAGO
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Scott R. Mills, CAGO retired in December of 2025 as Principal Organist and Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church having served for 18 years. He was instrumental in the renovation of The Wesleyan Heritage Organ completed in 2016, providing the inspiration, oversight and fundraising of the project. He is currently Organist Emeritus and will continue on the Board of Trustees at First UMC as the Curator of the organ. Scott currently teaches private piano in the after-school program at The Madeleine Choir School in Salt Lake City. He grew up in Tempe, Arizona where he began piano at age seven and later studied with Arnold H. Bullock and Dr. David N. Johnson at ASU. In 1976, he attended BYU and studied organ and piano with J.J. Keeler, graduating in Organ and Piano Pedagogy. While a student and after graduation, Mr. Mills taught piano and organ full time to many students. He has served as organist and music director for various denominations since 1975. Mr. Mills has performed recitals and concerts on Temple Square and The Cathedral of the Madeleine. He has served as Dean of the Utah Valley Chapter and Sub-Dean of the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Mr. Mills is a member of the American Guild of Organists and earned the Colleague AGO Diploma in 2019. He is a member of the Utah Music Teachers Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers and National Federation of Music Clubs. He has judged with The National Guild of Piano Teachers and other organizations since 1982. He and his husband, Mike, enjoy spending time with family and their dog “Chinle.” They have just finished renovating their basement in preparation to install a home pipe organ.

Ronnie Bishop, FAGO

Ronnie Bishop, FAGO, born and raised in New Jersey, is a regular guest recitalist on the organs at the Salt Lake Tabernacle and Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. She also works as an accompanist in the Music Dance Theatre department at Brigham Young University. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance and Pedagogy, Ronnie continued her studies in organ at Yale University. Then she moved to New York City to work as a classical music archivist at Sony Music Studios, and later as supervisor of copyright at Sony Classical. Her career path then took a sharp turn when she became an investigator for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. While in New York, she also obtained degrees in criminal justice, forensic accounting, and accounting and taxation. Ronnie met her husband, Rich, at Radio City Music Hall where she played the organ for 80 performances of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. Ronnie played the organ regularly as a substitute organist and guest artist at churches throughout the New York City metro area. She was also assistant musical director for a limited-run off-Broadway production of a new musical, “Enchanted April”. Since her family’s move to Utah, Ronnie has found many opportunities to play the organ including as organist for performances by A Voice for Good Choir and the Choral Arts Society of Utah, and as rehearsal accompanist for the multicultural and youth choirs that have sung in General Conference. When she isn’t at the organ or piano, Ronnie can be found spending time with her family and pets, reading, or doing work as a bookkeeper, tax preparer, or crochet pattern editor. She and Rich have two lovely daughters and an ever-growing number of fur-babies and feather-babies.Lake City. He grew up in Tempe, Arizona where he began piano at age seven and later studied with Arnold H. Bullock and Dr. David N. Johnson at ASU. In 1976, he attended BYU and studied organ and piano with J.J. Keeler, graduating in Organ and Piano Pedagogy. While a student and after graduation, Mr. Mills taught piano and organ full time to many students. He has served as organist and music director for various denominations since 1975. Mr. Mills has performed recitals and concerts on Temple Square and The Cathedral of the Madeleine. He has served as Dean of the Utah Valley Chapter and Sub-Dean of the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Mr. Mills is a member of the American Guild of Organists and earned the Colleague AGO Diploma in 2019. He is a member of the Utah Music Teachers Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers and National Federation of Music Clubs. He has judged with The National Guild of Piano Teachers and other organizations since 1982. He and his husband, Mike, enjoy spending time with family and their dog “Chinle.” They have just finished renovating their basement in preparation to install a home pipe organ.

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Teresa Clawson, MMUS
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Teresa Clawson earned her MMus (2013) and BMus (2010) in Organ Performance at the University of Utah. She has earned the Associate (2011) and Colleague (2009) certificates with the American Guild of Organists. Teresa has been an associate instructor for the University of Utah School of Music Organ Preparatory Division since 2008. She also has maintained a private piano and organ studio for 40 years, and recently formed Clawson Keyboard Instruction, LLC. Teresa served as an organist in the Salt Lake Temple from 2011 until its closure and currently serves as an organist at the Jordan River temple. She has served as an organist for various congregations along the Wasatch Front since she was 14 years old. She has worked as a professional organist for First Congregational Church of Salt Lake City for nearly 8 years and Bountiful First Baptist Church for 2 1⁄2 years. She also works as a substitute organist for congregations in the Salt Lake area, and accompanies various community music groups on occasion. "I am honored to serve as an assistant organist at First United Methodist Church. I participated in the fundraising for the Wesleyan Heritage Organ starting in 2010, performing in the fundraising recital series and inviting others to participate in the fundraising and watch the construction. What a welcoming place this is! I love being able to powerfully share my witness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through music. Nothing can compare to giving God glory through music, and working collaboratively with others to do so is a glorious, spiritual experience." Teresa is married to Coy Clawson. They are the parents of six children and have 16 grandchildren.

Welcome

Featured Organists

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Rededication Service

Rededication Service

120th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, May 17, 2026 • 4:00 PM

The Worship Service of Rededication celebrated 120 years of ministry and the restoration of First United Methodist Church's historic building. Led by Bishop Kristin Stoneking, the service included music, scripture, prayer, blessings, and the reconsecration of the church's restored spaces.

Introit

Praise God for This Holy Ground

First UMC Chancel Choir

▶ Audio Coming Soon

Welcome

Rev. Kelsie Parrish

Call to Worship

Psalm 122 – UMH Psalter #845

Processional Hymn

Rejoice, the Lord Is King – UMH #715

▶ Audio Coming Soon

Opening Prayer

Rev. Lou Ward

District Superintendent
Utah/Western Colorado District

Declaration of Purpose

Cynthia Roberts, Liturgist

Siblings in Christ, this is a day of rejoicing!

We have come together to reconsecrate this building of First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City. Let us open our hearts and minds to receive God's Word with faith. May our blessed communion, born of one baptism and nurtured at one table of the Lord, become one temple of the Holy Spirit as we gather in love.

Presentation of the Building

We present this building to be reconsecrated for the worship of God and the service of all people.

Participants:

  • Bishop Kristin Stoneking

  • Mike Green, Board of Trustees Chair

  • Barbara Black, Co-Lay Leader

  • Barry Buckendorf, Humanitarian Chair

Hymn of Praise

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

▶ Audio Coming Soon

Gospel Reading

Matthew 7:24–29

Musical Response

Built on a Rock - Jay Althouse

▶ Audio Coming Soon

Sermon

Bearing Witness

Bishop Kristin Stoneking

Kinetic Response

We Will Build This House - Sally Rogers

​Liturgical Dance by Jason Archuleta

Sotto Voce Quartet: Iris Nixdorf, Julie Maughan,
Brent Carter, Jerry Parkstone, vocals Larry Hjalmarson, guitar Mary Otterstrom, violin

​▶ Audio Coming Soon

Poetic Response

Rededication

Stephen Macauley

▶ Audio Coming Soon

Closing Hymn

House of God - W&S #3132

▶ Audio Coming Soon

Dismissal Voluntary

Finale Jubilante

Healey Willan

▶ Audio Coming Soon

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Restoration & Preservation

Restoration & Preservation

Caring for a Historic Church

For 120 years, First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City has stood as a place of worship, service, music, and community. As we celebrate this anniversary milestone, we also celebrate the care and commitment that have preserved this historic building for future generations.

Stained Glass Restoration

Following the vandalism of the west stained glass window, First UMC contracted with Western Art Glass in July 2024 to repair the damaged panels along with multiple other cracks and areas of deterioration. The studio also completed an extensive cleaning that restored much of the stained glass to its original beauty.

For the exterior windows, Willet Stained Glass Studios cleaned the windows, repaired and strengthened the leadwork, and installed acrylic protective coverings to help prevent future oxidation and vandalism. Work was completed during February and March of 2025.

Project Partners:

Western Art Glass • Willet Stained Glass Studios

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BEFORE

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AFTER

Boiler Replacement

In 2024, the church boiler began leaking due to heavy corrosion and required complete replacement. Energy Tech of Utah began installation of a new boiler system in September 2024, restoring steam heat in early January 2025.

 

The congregation faithfully gathered throughout the project—including celebrating Christmas Eve worship wrapped in blankets while awaiting completion of the new system.

Project Partner:

Energy Tech of Utah

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OLD

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NEW

Elevator Modernization

A month after the stained glass vandalism, the church elevator experienced a major failure that required extensive modernization.

After navigating supply chain delays, Schindler Elevator began replacing critical components in September 2025 and completed the project in February 2026. The modernization ensures safe, reliable accessibility throughout the building for years to come.

Project Partner:

Schindler Elevator

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OLD

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NEW

Exterior Restoration

As a result of the stained glass restoration efforts, JB Masonry became aware of the church's preservation needs and helped make possible a comprehensive restoration of the building exterior.

The project included power washing, cleaning, masonry repairs, and repainting, restoring the original colors and architectural details of the church's historic stonework. Work began in March 2025 and was completed in August 2025.

Project Partner:

JB Masonry

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BEFORE

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AFTER

Additional Trustees Projects

In addition to these major restoration efforts, numerous maintenance and improvement projects were completed throughout the building and grounds:

• Blessing Box
• Community Garden
• Fiber internet upgrades for livestreaming and internet access
• Outdoor security cameras
• Fellowship Hall projector
• Pastor's Office renovation
• ADA bathroom repairs
• Interior brick wall repairs
• Steam pipe repairs
• Window repairs due to vandalism
• Additional stained glass repairs
• Water heater replacements
• Roof repairs and tower repairs
• Swamp cooler repairs
• Welcome signage
• Carpet replacement projects in multiple areas of the building
• Wesley Chapel improvements
• West Entry radiator replacement

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Looking Toward the Future

The preservation of this historic building supports the ongoing ministries of First United Methodist Church and ensures that future generations will continue to worship, serve, learn, celebrate, and gather in this sacred space.

 

As we mark 120 years of ministry, we give thanks for all who have contributed their time, talents, expertise, and resources to preserve this church and prepare it for the future.

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Our History

First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City is Utah's oldest Methodist congregation, meeting continuously since May 1870. The Sanctuary you are viewing is part of our second church building, constructed in 1905–1906 and designed by architect Frederick A. Hale in the Victorian Eclectic style.

The Sanctuary's unique design reflects the influence of the Sunday School Movement, with multiple aisles providing easy access to classrooms throughout the building. The pews and stained-glass windows remain original to 1906.

One of the Sanctuary's treasures is The Incarnation, located on the south wall. Crafted in Holland from 60 different colors of glass, it contains more than 1,500 hand-painted pieces.

Music has long been central to the life of this congregation. Our Steinway piano, built in 1912, has been part of the Sanctuary since the early 1950s. The Wesleyan Heritage Pipe Organ, Utah's oldest operating pipe organ, was originally installed by the George Kilgen and Sons Company of St. Louis and most recently restored in 2016 by Bigelow & Co. Organ Builders.

During that restoration, artisans recreated the decorative stenciling on the front 35 pipes using a 1915 photograph discovered in the church archives, restoring the organ's original appearance.

The church's history is also connected to that of Salt Lake City. Retail merchant J. C. Penney paid the church's final debt, and a plaque in the west tower honors his wife, Berta Penney.

Our History
Media Coverage

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203 S 200 E

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

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