Bliss Hall was erected in 1872 by the New West Education Commission of the Congregational Church for Protestant missionary schools. Named for Charles R. Bliss, a New England minister, it served as both church and school. Because the territories had no public school system due to scanty population and funds, Christian schools were opened under the auspices of an Eastern board to fill this need, and at one time there were thirty of these schools in Utah. Miss Madeline Gile taught for many years in this Rock School House, and Miss Jessamine Sheppard, another well-known Utah educator, also began her career here before later moving into the County School System.