OGDEN, Utah — A historic Ogden church has been awarded a $100,000 grant to support major preservation and restoration efforts — marking only the second time in Utah’s history that a place of worship has received this national honor.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced Tuesday that the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd is among 30 churches nationwide selected for funding through the organization’s National Fund for Sacred Places program.
The initiative provides critical financial support to faith-based institutions that hold historic or architectural significance, helping them complete large-scale preservation projects that might otherwise be difficult to fund through local donations alone.
“This program helps historically significant faith locations across the U.S. undertake substantial preservation projects that can greatly extend the life of their buildings,” the National Trust said in a statement.
Restoring a Utah Landmark
Grant funds for the Church of the Good Shepherd will be used to preserve and restore several key structural and architectural elements, including the building’s exterior, interior, windows and doors, steeple, spire, bell tower, and masonry work.
The church, located at 2374 Grant Avenue in Ogden, has been a cornerstone of the community for over 150 years. Its origins trace back to the 1860s, and the congregation moved to its current home in 1871. According to the church’s official history, the building stones were hauled from Mendon by oxen, while many of its stained glass windows were donated as memorials — adding deep cultural and emotional significance to its preservation.
A Rare Recognition for Utah
The Church of the Good Shepherd joins an exclusive list of Utah recipients of this national preservation award. The only other Utah winner came in 2023, when the Alrasool Islamic Center in Taylorsville received the same grant for its own restoration work.
The funding highlights growing national recognition for Utah’s historic and architectural heritage, particularly in its faith-based landmarks that continue to serve communities while maintaining their original 19th- and early 20th-century designs.
As the church begins its restoration journey, community members and preservationists alike see the grant as both a symbolic and practical investment in Ogden’s history.
