Deer Valley in Park City in Summit County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

St. Mary's Catholic Church

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 20, 2025

1. St. Mary's Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. In the late 1870's numerous schools and churches were established throughout Park City - evidence that a sense of community was replacing the transient mining camp character of the town. With Irish Catholics prominent among the mining population, St. Mary's Catholic Church was the largest local congregation.

In 1881 the original frame church and school were built. Classes were conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in the basement. During July 4th celebrations in 1884 the building was destroyed by fire. Reconstruction began immediately, and by fall the two stone buildings were completed. The school operated until 1933, when enrollment had dwindled to 57 students and was expected to decline further.

St. Mary's was gutted by fire in 1951, at a time when mines were closing and local population declining. Father William Kennedy rallied a corps of unemployed miners to reconstruct the buildings, thus assuring continuation of the Catholic organization in Park City.

St. Mary's celebrated its centennial in 1981, and is the oldest continuing Catholic Church in the state of Utah.

Erected 1984 by Park City Centennial

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 40° 38.403′ N, 111° 29.688′ W. Marker is in Park City, Utah, in Summit County. It is in Deer Valley. It is on Park Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Park Avenue, Park City UT 84060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Uinta Mountains,

in the Wasatch Front,

and in Greater Provo.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church and School (here, next to this marker); Bogan Boarding House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Treasure Mountain Inn

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 20, 2025

2. St. Mary's Catholic Church Marker

(about 500 feet away); The First National Bank (about 800 feet away); Bardsley Building (about 800 feet away); Giacoma Building (about 800 feet away); The Egyptian Theater (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Golden Rule Store (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Park City.

St. Mary's Catholic Church Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 20, 2025

3. St. Mary's Catholic Church Building

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.