In Emery County, we are all familiar with the “Old Yellow Church” that stands in the middle of Emery town. What you may not know is that efforts to restore the building are now underway. Over the years efforts have been put in to prevent it from falling too far into disrepair. Or at least keep it from sinking from sight or have the bell tower fall away from the main building. A fix here, a fix there, all while dreaming of seeing the old church restored fully to its former charming self.
A meeting in September of last year with Don Hartley from Utah Division of State History left the Emery Town Historical Preservation committee with encouraging news; that while the church may be in disrepair, the bones are good and worth pursuing funding to start the restoration. Hartley also took the time to sit and help outline courses of action and possible sources of funding. The committee decided the first step was to create a non-profit organization that could focus on restoration efforts.
To celebrate its commencement, the Emery Town Historical Preservation Committee is hosting their first annual Winter Ball in Emery Town at the Recreation Center on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. Admission will be $10 per person. All proceeds will be going to the Emery Town Heritage Council.
The Emery Town Heritage Council is a newly formed 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve and restore the historical sites and buildings of Emery Town.
The old church is rich both in history and memories. Other meeting houses of that era were made built from stone or brick while the Emery Town Church with its wooden frame, adobe walls, New England clapboards and tall Georgian windows has made it a unique structure to this day.
Since 1900 the old church has hosted church services, family reunions, weddings, movie nights, roller skating, weekly Senior Citizen’s luncheons, and Deer Hunter’s Ball before closing its doors in early 2000.
For future news and updates, you can follow the Emery Town Heritage Council on Facebook.
Restoration of the old yellow church
The church in Emery. Emery County Archives