Atonement Lutheran — where faith rose beneath a roof shaped like heaven’s arc

Atonement Lutheran Church Grace in every curve, faith in every beam – Where spirit met sky in sweeping beauty on 3500 South”

Through the vision of architect Charles D. Peterson and the hands of skilled builders, a modern sanctuary rose — a sacred space where beauty, purpose, and worship met in perfect harmony, with every line drawing the eye and heart toward the chancel.

For more than three decades, a striking landmark stood gracefully along 3500 South in Granger—its long, curving roofline often compared to Noah’s Ark or an upside-down rainbow. This was Atonement Lutheran Church, a house of worship whose beauty, spirit, and sense of community are remembered fondly to this day.

The story of Atonement Lutheran Church began not in a traditional chapel, but in a place of music and dancing. The first service was held on March 18, 1962, at Mickey’s Dance Hall, located at 1740 West 3500 South. Despite the unconventional setting, a core group of faithful individuals gathered with purpose and vision. Just a few months later, on June 3, 1962, Atonement Lutheran Church was formally organized with 62 charter members—28 adults and 34 children.

That same day, Joseph A. Luthro was installed as the first full-time pastor. Born in Iowa and ordained in 1944, Pastor Luthro had already served congregations in Alaska and Oregon. Now, with his wife Margaret and their two children, he began a new chapter of ministry in Utah.

The founding of the church was part of a broader mission of outreach by the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With support from the national church body, the local congregation purchased a two-acre parcel of land at 2040 West 3500 South, with the goal of building a full church campus complete with ample parking.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site on March 18, 1962, and construction moved quickly. By October 7, 1962, the new sanctuary was ready to welcome its first worshipers. The building was a marvel of mid-century religious architecture—its sweeping, sloped roof created a distinctive profile visible from blocks away. Inside, the chancel area seated approximately 230, while a spacious social hall and classrooms extended to the rear. Offices and utility rooms were located at the front entrance.

On October 23, 1962, the Atonement Lutheran Church Women organization was formed, further anchoring the church in the life of the community.

The dedication services for the completed church were held on December 16, 1962. Reverend Walter H. Hellman, executive vice president of the South Pacific District, delivered the dedicatory sermon. He described the graceful curve of the church’s roof as “an upside-down rainbow, lifting our thoughts to God.” Pastor Luthro led the service, attended by 169 people, and reported that the congregation had already grown to 123 baptized members.

Though the original church building no longer stands—replaced by a commercial strip including a Pep Boys auto shop—its memory lives on. For more than 35 years, Atonement Lutheran Church was a spiritual home for many in Granger and West Valley City, its distinctive silhouette and devoted membership leaving a lasting imprint on the community.

Today, longtime residents still speak of its beauty, its warmth, and the way that curved roof seemed to reach upward—toward heaven.