Old Log Church

The first church in Monticello, built in 188 for religious worship, became a center of community life as a school, a refuge for the homeless, a place for dances, public meetings, mourning the dead, and other history-making events. Its first church meeting included the Waltons, Jones, Adams, Butts, Hydes, Rogers, and other pioneer families, who met on a dirt floor during the first year and took pride in their church and the community's progress. During the Pioneer Day celebration on July 24, 1891, the church was used as a dance hall, with Charles Walton playing the fiddle, his son Charles playing the little organ, and John Rogers calling the square dance. The celebration ended abruptly when someone announced that Tom Roach had stabbed Frank Hyde, then a shot was heard outside and Bill McCord, a Carlisle cowboy, was found dead. Tom Roach reportedly held everyone at gunpoint until Jane Walton stepped forward to reason with him, after which another shot was heard, Jane was killed, and Tom escaped and was not heard from again.

Monticello, Utah · United States