It's a bit of historical irony that the property on which the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints built its chapel in the Salt Lake Valley adjoins land that was once owned by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.
William A. Boyd, a long-time resident of the East Millcreek residential neighborhood and former bishop of the East Millcreek 4th LDS Ward, said that some area residents were concerned when they heard about plans for construction of the RLDS chapel. The church was built in the early 1960s at 2747 E. 3640 South.The concerned residents went to then-Elder Hinckley, hoping that he would support them in their efforts to oppose the building plans, said Boyd. Boyd, who was bishop of the 4th Ward at the time, said he personally did not oppose plans for the church.
President Hinckley, who was then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, also lived in East Millcreek at the time.
President Hinckley, who spent much of his childhood growing up in that area and had reared his own family there, told the residents that he could not in good conscience oppose the building of another church.
Boyd said the church leader noted the difficulties The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had historically in obtaining land for construction of ward chapels, stake centers, temples and other church facilities.
Some of the concerned East Millcreek residents also contacted Aram Plowgian, the owner of the property where the RLDS chapel was to be built. They tried to buy the three acres of land from him. But Boyd said that Plowgian, who is now deceased, declined, saying he had already agreed to sell the land to the church and was bound by his word.
Boyd said he remembers well many of the events surrounding the building's construction.
Boyd, who still lives less than a block from the church, said he, too, tried unsuccessfully to purchase property just east of the church on which a school playground is located. He said he hoped to subdivide some of the property for construction of homes. By that time the church had been built, and the church's leaders wanted to retain possession of the land.
Boyd said he has "always found members of the Reorganized Church to be very gracious and cooperative."