About
History of St. Henry's
A brief history of the Catholic community in Box Elder County and the growth of St. Henry’s Parish in Brigham City, Utah.
Catholics Before St. Henry’s
From the days of the early trappers to the present, there have always been Catholics in the area. It is not possible to write about the history of St. Henry’s without also telling the story of Catholics throughout Box Elder County.
As early as June 1871, Catholic residents of Corinne met with Father Patrick Walsh of Salt Lake City and made plans for a school building that could also be used as a chapel. A committee of nine members raised $2,475 within four days for construction. Although the building was never built, priests such as Father Walsh and Father Patrick Dowling continued making occasional visits to offer Mass in the Opera House.
In the early 1900s, local Catholics traveled to Ogden to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments. Box Elder County was part of St. Joseph Parish. In 1918, Catholic families of Mexican descent arrived in Garland to work in the sugar beet fields. By 1932, Father Patrick Kennedy recognized the need for religious education among Catholic children in the area.
In 1933, children traveled to Ogden for the Sacraments of Penance and First Communion. Some classes were taught locally in Corinne, and one Mass was even offered in a railroad company garage. Afterward, many children continued their religious education through correspondence.
In 1941, Box Elder County became part of the new St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Logan. Mass was offered in Corinne first at the City Hall and later at the Historic Methodist Church. Midnight Mass became a cherished tradition, with music, a nativity scene, and gifts for the children.
The Beginning of St. Henry’s
Soon, Masses were being offered both in Corinne and in Brigham City. In 1943, a house at 23 South 1st East in Brigham City was purchased with help from the Catholic Church Extension Society. It served as both a church and rectory.
In 1949, the former Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City was converted into a school for Navajo children. The growing number of Catholic students led to St. Henry’s being raised from mission status to parish status. Rev. James C. Coyne became the first pastor of St. Henry’s Church in October 1949.
Father Coyne helped build a strong catechetical program for the Navajo children, and the first baptism at St. Henry’s took place on December 8, 1949. In 1950, Rev. Alfred W. Harding, MM became the second pastor and continued ministering to the parish and the Indian school.
In 1952, the Society of Jesus accepted responsibility for both St. Henry’s Parish and the Indian School. Rev. Edward J. Whelan, S.J. became pastor. During this time, the population in the area increased because of Thiokol, the chapel was enlarged, and Masses continued in Brigham, Corinne, and even Little Valley in Lucin.
The parish also supported Catholic education by helping children travel to St. Joseph’s School in Ogden. A convent was purchased in Brigham City, and the Ladies Altar Society was formed.
St. Henry’s As We Know It
In 1957, Father Joseph M. Clark came to St. Henry’s and secured a surplus chapel from the Utah General Depot in Ogden. Ground was broken in December 1957 for its foundation at the corner of Second East and Fourth South.
The chapel was moved to Brigham City in 1958, reassembled, and dedicated that same fall. Its basement served as a social hall and included a kitchen. The church became the center of parish life for generations to come.
In the years that followed, St. Henry’s continued to grow. Property was acquired for future development, youth ministry flourished, and the parish became known for its strong Catholic identity and service. Religious education was expanded to nearby communities including Snowville and Corinne.
Additional pastors and assistants helped guide the parish through many decades of spiritual and physical growth. A Spanish Mass was introduced, permanent deacons were ordained from the parish, and facilities such as the rectory, convent, church hall, and Indian Center were improved.
St. Henry’s also played a role in the establishment of Santa Ana Mission Church in Tremonton. Groundbreaking took place in June 1989, and the first Mass there was celebrated in October of the same year.
Through all these years, St. Henry’s Parish has remained a place of faith, community, and service for Catholics in Brigham City and throughout Box Elder County.
Succession of Pastors
- Rev. Alfred W. Harding, MM — 1950–1952
- Rev. Edward J. Whelan, SJ — 1952–1955
- Rev. William J. Dunne, SJ — 1955–1957
- Rev. Joseph M. Clark, SJ — 1957–1964
- Rev. Arthur J. Schenk, SJ — 1964–1967
- Rev. Robert R. Taheny, SJ — 1966–1970
- Rev. Vincent J. O'Sullivan, SJ — 1970–1972
- Rev. John C. Hesser, SJ — 1972–1973
- Rev. John G. Ferguson, SJ — 1976–1983
- Rev. Daniel J. Charlton, SJ — 1983–1985
- Rev. Francis J. Babbish, SJ — 1985–1986
- Rev. F. Warren Schoeppe, SJ — 1986–2008
- Rev. Patrick Reuse, SJ — 2008–2020
- Rev. Francisco Pires — 2020–Present