Salt Lake City, UT

March 2025

Onsite

First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a landmark of religious diversity and architectural innovation. Completed in 1906, the building was designed by the prominent architect Frederick Albert Hale—his only church design in the state. Built in the Victorian Eclectic style with a unique “auditorium” interior, it served as a powerful symbol of Protestant activity in a predominantly Mormon city. The church’s historical significance is further cemented by its connection to early Utah settlers and prominent members like J.C. Penney, who paid off the church’s mortgage in 1912. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, it remains a vital spiritual and cultural hub in downtown Salt Lake City.

Project Scope & Technical Repairs

This extensive preservation project involved the repair and protection of thirty-one windows. The scope focused on reversing decades of environmental wear while reinforcing the structural integrity of the church’s historic glass collection.

Restoration & Stabilization Details

A team of specialists performed a variety of targeted repairs to ensure the windows’ longevity:

• Structural Corrective Work: Artisans successfully straightened a prominent bulge in one of the panels and added custom glazing bars to several windows. These bars were designed to follow the major architectural lines of the framing, providing essential support while remaining virtually invisible from the exterior.
• Glass Replacement & Stabilization: For nine specific windows, cracked glass was stabilized to prevent further deterioration. In instances where non-painted glass was missing, broken, or beyond repair, it was replaced with matching materials to maintain the windows’ original aesthetic.
• Maintenance & Sealing: The entire set of windows was re-cemented on the exterior to restore the waterproof seal. Additionally, one vent was permanently sealed to improve the building’s envelope, and all surrounding millwork was professionally re-painted to protect the wood frames.

Advanced Protection: The Klear-Flo™ System

To safeguard these historic treasures from future damage, the Klear-Flo™ protective covering system was installed across the project.

• Material & Framing: The system utilizes 1/4-inch acrylic known for its clarity and impact resistance, secured with a specialized perimeter frame.
• Preservation Strategy: This installation provides a high-performance barrier against wind, moisture, and debris while allowing the intricate beauty of the 1906 glass to remain the focal point of the church’s exterior.

Honoring a Century of Faith

By combining precise structural repairs with modern protective technology, this project ensures that the historic windows of First United Methodist Church continue to serve as a “joining of heaven and Earth.” These efforts preserve Hale’s architectural legacy and the church’s role as a beacon of community and history in Salt Lake City.

Associated Resources:

Historical Profile: National Register of Historic Places – FUMC Salt Lake City

Church Website: fumcslc.org