DRAPER — Follow this spiritual journey: Originally Latter-day Saint, then became Catholic, next changed to Episcopalian and is now Presbyterian.
It's not one of a single person, but rather a building, currently the Hidden Valley Presbyterian Church in Draper.
Located at 12883 S. 1300 East, it stands today as a historic monument serving a congregation of 100 Presbyterians. Yet, currently, this worship space is facing a challenge: It needs a new parking lot.
To help raise funds for the new lot, the church is holding a rummage and bake sale today from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the church.
First constructed by the LDS Church, the meetinghouse originally served the Draper LDS 2nd Ward, and a few older local residents still remember being baptized there. After serving as the Catholic parish's St. John the Baptist Church, the building was sold to the Episcopalian Diocese. In 2004, the congregation of the Hidden Valley Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Pastor Lee Mashburn, purchased the building.
While its long history has added character to the structure, the turnover has caused major wear on the building's old parking lot. Church member Melanie Whitesides quipped the only group that is pleased with the lot's potholes are "the resident ducks" that evidently "enjoy wading in the ponds that develop (in them) after rain."
Nevertheless, the church fears the parking lot's condition is dangerous to churchgoers, and the congregation believes it can raise — with help from the community — the necessary funds to give this historic space a new place for people to park.
Email: hboyd@desnews.com