Garden Park Ward

Meetinghouse and Grounds

 History

 The land on which this beautiful meetinghouse and grounds are located, where the Red Butte Creek flows into the Salt Lake Valley, was originally deeded to President Brigham Young, second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1857.  President Young  later conveyed the property in 1875 to his younger brother, Lorenzo Dow Young.  In 1880, the property was acquired by Lorenzo Young’s daughter, Josephine Young Carter, who subsequently transferred twenty-one (21) acres, including this present site, to LeGrand Young, President Brigham Young’s nephew and general counsel to the LDS Church.  Lorenzo and LeGrand Young jointly made improvements to the site, including the planting of numerous trees, many of which remain on the grounds today. 

John C. Howard acquired the property in 1918 and enlarged the residence located on the site and added the walls surrounding the grounds, as well as other small buildings. In 1938, the LDS Church acquired the property for the construction of the Garden Park Ward meetinghouse.  The current meetinghouse, built on the foundations of the Howard residence, was originally dedicated on April 2, 1939, by President Heber J. Grant, seventh president of the LDS Church.  On April 2, 1989, the meetinghouse was rededicated to commemorate its fiftieth anniversary.

 Following extensive renovations in 2007, the meetinghouse and grounds were rededicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth president of the LDS Church, on January 20, 2008.  The rededication of the Garden Park Ward was President Hinckley’s final public appearance prior to his death on January 27, 2008. 

 We welcome you to the historic Garden Park Ward and grounds.  The oak grove, trees, stream and pond, together with the meetinghouse and chapel provide a place of worship, tranquility and beauty with historic ties to the Mormon Pioneers.  When visiting the grounds, we invite your kind observance of the following guidelines in recognition of the sacred nature of the buildings and grounds as a religious site and to promote the use and enjoyment of the grounds by others.

Use – General Guidelines

The grounds are generally open from 7:00 a.m. to dusk Monday through Sunday. LDS Church services are conducted most Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General public access to or use of the grounds may be limited on occasion to accommodate previously scheduled private use of the grounds or LDS Church or neighborhood activities.   Consumption of alcohol, smoking or use of drugs is not permitted at any time.

Use – Photography

Use of the grounds for photography is permitted solely on the following days and times: Monday-Wednesday & Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to the earlier of dusk or 7:00 p.m.

Use of the grounds for photography is not permitted on Thursday, Friday or Sunday. In addition, use of the grounds for photography may be restricted when necessary to permit the use of the building and grounds for essential activities, such as, for example, conducting funerals.  When such an event occurs, we may alert you by posting signs at the entrances to the grounds which will indicate that use of the grounds for photography has been preempted to accommodate a special event. During such periods, we ask that you please demonstrate respect by refraining from using the grounds for photography and returning later in the day or on another day.

Vehicles are not permitted on the grounds except in designated parking stalls. Because changing rooms are not available on the grounds, please plan on making any clothing changes prior to arriving for your appointment.  All photographic subjects should observe high-standards of modesty in dress and conduct during photographic shoots. In particular, brides should avoid backless or bare-shoulder dresses.  We ask that you please remain on marked pathways and avoid the flowerbeds and shrubbery to protect the landscaping from damage. 

Use – Wedding Receptions

Please note that the use of the grounds and facilities for wedding receptions is currently limited to a bride or groom:

1. who resides within the Garden Park Ward neighborhood (9^th South to 13^th South; 11^th East to 13^th East);

2. who is a member of the Salt Lake Bonneville Stake; or

3. who is a member of the Bonneville YSA Ward; or

4. who satisfies either 1 or 2 above but who currently resides away from home during the academic year or during periods of active military duty and whose parents independently satisfy either 1 or 2. 

The grounds may be used for wedding receptions between May and September on Thursdays and Fridays, as available. Please note that, in the absence of inclement weather, the meetinghouse is generally not available for hosting wedding receptions.  For available dates, please see Availability & Scheduling below.

All participants in wedding receptions should observe high-standards of modesty in dress and conduct whilst using the grounds. In particular, brides should avoid backless or bare-shoulder dresses. 

Vehicles, including catering vehicles, are not permitted on the grounds except in designated parking stalls.  Conduct of the members of the wedding party, guests and service personnel should be consonant with the sacred nature of the grounds and respectful of those living within the neighborhood.  For clarity, all music, whether live or recorded, should be maintained at a level appropriate to the surroundings and be discontinued after 9:30 p.m.

Decorating and other set up activities are generally limited to the actual day of the reception.  Decorations should be removed by no later than noon of the following day.

Availability & Scheduling

Reservations for wedding receptions may be made up to six (6) months in advance.

To check for available dates for receptions, please click here.  Please note that the grounds may be scheduled for events that are not reflected on this calendar.  To confirm availability and to schedule an appointment, please use the contact information listed below under Contact Information.

Contact Information

To confirm availability, make an appointment or reserve the grounds, please contact the building and grounds coordinator at 801-581-0903. PLEASE ENSURE YOU MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (SEE ABOVE) BEFORE YOU CALL. Calls are generally returned on the next business day. You can also email (gpward@gardenparkward.org).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE BUILDING AND GROUNDS