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The Episcopal Church Celebrates 140 years of Ministry in Utah (PDF: 6.5MB).
In July, 1962, All Saints Church in Salt Lake City suggested
parishioners hold neighborhood social gatherings to become better
acquainted. Those who met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dorsey
discussed establishing a mission in the south-western part of the
valley and agreed to invite all the Episcopalians they knew
or could locate through a notice in The Eagle Advertiser
to an exploratory meeting.
The first service of the South West Episcopal Mission was held on Sunday, October 21, 1962, in a former dry cleaning establishment in a suburban shopping center. Bishop Richard S. Watson celebrated the family Eucharist—he had suggested children accompany their parents and advised all with Prayer Books to bring them. The steering committee had rented 100 chairs, but 143 persons attended. The following year, the congregation received its name and a Priest-in-Charge.
In 1964, St Stephen's purchased a four-acre tract with a house that became the vicarage for its first full-time Priest, the Rev. Paul Taylor. Two years later, it erected a multi-purpose building. In 1986, St Stephen's broke ground for its church building, the first phase of a $2 million plan that was to include the church, a parish hall, a retreat center and a day-care facility. The church was completed and the former worship space was remodeled into the parish hall. The rest of the land was used for a garden or was left vacant.
In the 1990's, the interior of the church was revamped and the seating was re-arranged into a semi-circle. The original walk-in baptismal font was filled in and a new font built in the rear of the church. There was also a new quiet play area for children to be during the service.
In 2000, the parish broke ground for a new parish hall, meeting room and office space. In addition, the former church/parish hall was converted into Sunday School classrooms. This was made possible through Project Jubilee funding from the Diocese of Utah.
In 2003, a latino congregation, San Esteban, was established at St Stephen's. This congregation continues to grow. There are numerous joint worship and fellowship events for both congregations during the year.
On the First Sunday of Advent, 2003, the Rev'd W. Lee Shaw came to St Stephen's as Priest-in-Charge. His previous position had been as Associate Rector at St James' Parish, Midvale. In October 2005 he was formally elected as Rector of St Stephen's. His Celebration of New Ministry, Induction and Institution as Rector, was held on December 11, 2005. His ministries also include the St Chad Society, a support and discussion group for people leaving the LDS church, as well as co-founder and chaplain for Integrity, the Episcopal Church's ministry for and with gays and lesbians.
In Advent, 2005, the Latino congregation at St Mark's Cathedral officially moved to St Stephen's, creating a combined St Stephen's/San Esteban Parish. The Rev. Canon Pablo Ramos assumed the position of Vicar of San Esteban and Assisting Priest of St Stephen's. He is also Canon for Latino Ministries for the Diocese of Utah. The Rev. Isabel González was ordained a Deacon June 2006 and serves with San Esteban. She was ordained a Priest in February 2007.
On September 5, 2007, the Rev. Deacon Dan Herron was received as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church by the Rt Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish. Fr. Dan is the first vocational Deacon to serve at St. Stephen's. He had been ordained to the Diaconate 17 years ago in the Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona. In December, 2004, he and his wife Betsy were received into membership in the Episcopal Church. He had previously resigned his office as Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.
St Stephen's continues to be a vibrant, confident community and is the only Episcopal Church on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
4615 South 3200 West West Valley City, Utah 84119 Phone: (801)968-2731 Fax: (801)968-0384
