KEEPING THE FAITH IN DOWNTOWN PROVO

COMMUNITY CORNERSTONE RESTORATION PROJECT

A VIBRANT GATHERING PLACE FOR A MORE-CONNECTED COMMUNITY

Time has taken its toll on these old structures that are an iconic landmark in the area. Roofs and overhangs are failing, stucco splitting and crumbling, facia and gutters falling off, windows letting as much air through as they do water. Operating systems, electrical, plumbing, asbestos, and finishes are all in need of replacement, removal, or refreshing. The buildings haven’t kept up with today’s modern higher-tech needs either. In many ways, these spaces are still trapped in the eras they were built. While they were beautiful, they are in a sad state of their former selves.

Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo

A New History in the Making

On May 11, 2023, Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo and the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ held an open house gala celebration with a 1920’s and 1950’s theme, the eras the historic buildings of the Church were constructed.

Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo Co-chairs David Lewis and Kena Mathews, along with architect Steven Cornell, spoke of the exciting plans for the church and unveiled renderings of the restoration of the exterior, and the expansion of the sanctuary chancel, housing the historic 1892 45-rank pipe organ that was rescued in 2022 and creating a larger space for performances of choirs and orchestras, the addition of a new fellowship hall and kitchen for church and community events, and a bell tower that includes an elevator to access all floors of the building.

Donations are being sought to make this project become reality. Visit KeepingtheFaithProvo.org to learn more and donate. Please share this with those you know.

Love and Light~
Dave Lewis

Preserving the Pipes

Raising Funds to Save this Pipe Organ

The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 175 North University Avenue, Provo, has been given the rare opportunity to be gifted a historic pipe organ but they need the community’s help. The Church needs to raise $50,000 to make this special donation possible.

The well-known, downtown Provo church, which is currently being renovated, restored, and expanded, received a call earlier this year from a Salt Lake Church. The Church, located on eastside of Salt Lake, is currently up for sale and leadership offered their pipe organ as a gift to the Provo Church project to save the organ from going to the landfill. The 45-rank organ was built in 1892 for the church and was moved to its current location in the 1960’s. The call couldn’t have come at a better time.

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  • Amount $47,717 / 201 Donors 95.434% 95.434%
Form secured by GivingTools online giving.

or mail your contribution to:
Attn. Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo
P.O. Box 132
Provo, Utah 84603

or text your contribution by texting:
preservingthepipes to (888) 554-8664

Giving Opportunities

Giving Levels

Spark

$25 your name listed on our website

Match

$100 your name listed on our website

Candle

$250 your name listed on dedicatory plaque in church, small size

Lamp

$2,500 your name listed on dedicatory plaque in church, medium size

Luminary

$10,000 your name listed on dedicatory plaque in church, large size

Beacon

$25,000 your name listed on dedicatory plaque in church, large size

Star

$250,000 your name listed on dedicatory plaque in church and portrait

Sun

$1,000,000 naming rights for Fellowship Hall or Organ

Form secured by GivingTools online giving.

or mail your contribution to:
Attn. Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo
P.O. Box 132
Provo, Utah 84603

A Community Icon In Need

The church and its members for over 100 years have given to the community they love and continue to serve. We are asking for your assistance in helping us continue and expand our mission to better serve, and more fully do so well into the future.

Media Coverage

Check out some of the latest media coverage of our project.

ksl.com

Provo church hopes to raise $50K in three weeks to get pipe organ

heraldextra.com

Provo church gifted historic pipe organ needs financial help before it’s tossed

HeraldExtra.com

Provo church gifted historic pipe organ needs financial help before it’s tossed

KSL.com

‘Roof breaking’ ceremony marks beginning of restoration project for Provo church

DeseretNews.com

‘Roof breaking’ ceremony marks beginning of restoration project for Provo church

KSL News Radio 102.7 FM

130-year-old community church in Provo asking for help fixing its buildings

KSL.com

After 130 years standing, Provo church sets out to renovate historic buildings with help of other faiths

Deseret.com

Provo faith leader hopes historic church fundraiser and renovation also builds interfaith unity

Daily Herald

Monday Close-Up: United Church of Christ seeking spot on historical register

Bring the Light Home

Provo’s historic A-frame church invites residents to ‘Bring the Light Home’ with new campaign

Newspapers.com

New Chapel Caps 73-Year History of Community Church

RiverSimulator.com

A History of Utah County

universe.byu

Historic Provo church raising funds for restoration project

Church History

Over 130 years ago individuals and families left their homes in Ohio and Pennsylvania to come to Utah for new lives and legacies to work primarily in the steel industry. For those who settled in the Provo area, the social responsibilities foremost to the community “back east” became the center of the new residents here. And the Community Church was at the center of it all. And it was MORE
THAN A BUILDING.

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