First Baptist Church of Granger Utah

Farewell to a Faithful Cornerstone: Honoring the First Baptist Church of Granger

In 2025, the beloved First Baptist Church of Granger, located at 3831 S 2700 West, was quietly demolished — making way for what is rumored to be a future Chick-Fil-a Restaurant. While progress marches on and land is ever in demand, the loss of this cherished church marks the end of an era for Granger and the wider West Valley community.

The story of the First Baptist Church is one not just of worship, but of sweat, sacrifice, and community spirit. Originally built around 1960, the church stood as a humble, one-story chapel with 3,740 square feet of space — a spiritual home for a growing congregation. But by the early 1970s, it was clear more room was needed.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Louis Demster, the congregation took it upon themselves to build a large two-story addition — and in doing so, saved more than half the cost by completing much of the work themselves. The new structure, completed in 1974, added 12 classrooms and more than 3,300 square feet of floor space. Church members, many without professional experience, did the carpentry, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and roofing — a truly remarkable accomplishment.

“We are all amateurs,” Rev. Demster said proudly at the time. "But we passed every inspection, and we’ve built something strong, together."

Led by building committee chairman Jim Kerney, about 35 dedicated volunteers gathered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and worked all day Saturdays. They shared meals, laughter, and a deep sense of fellowship as they built a sacred space brick by brick. It was more than construction — it was community in its purest form.

By 1975, the congregation had grown to 130 members — up from 100 just two years earlier — and the church became a hub not just for Sunday worship, but for Bible studies, revivals, prayer groups, and countless acts of service.

Now, as we witness the ground being cleared and plans for redevelopment quietly unfold, we pause to honor what once stood there — not just a building, but a gathering place for faith, family, and purpose.

The land may take on a new shape, but the legacy of the First Baptist Church of Granger will remain etched in the hearts of those who worshiped there, built it with their hands, and called it home.

Thank you, First Baptist Church, for over six decades of spiritual service and unforgettable fellowship. Your light lives on.