Roy 10th Ward
History: 1961-1986
"The First 25 Years"
The Roy 10th Ward was created on January 15, 1961, in the Ogden Tabernacle at a stake conference of the Lakeview Stake. At that time, the Lakeview Stake encumpassed all of Roy, Hooper and Kanesville and President Henry A. Matis was the Stake President. Ralph H. Hadley was sustained as bishop, with Udell Kearl and Glen Bryson as counselors, later Max Oliver served as a counselor. The boundaries of the ward were 2700 West (East Boundary), Davis County Line (South), Hooper on the west and Midland Drive on the North, and included parts of Roy 2nd, Roy 7th and Roy 1st, the most members coming from the Roy 1st Ward. Two months later, March 26, 1961, the Lakeview Stake was divided and the Roy Stake created. Roy 10th was still in the Lakeview Stake but it was much smaller; Roy 1st and Roy 10th, Kanesville and Hooper Wards and Floyd D. Fowers was the Stake President.
The Roy 10th Ward and the Roy 1st Ward met in the Old Chapel on 5600 So., across from the Weber memorial Hospital. Bishop Hadley was ordained a Bishop by Elder Henry D. Taylor, a general authority. The biggest challenge at this time was to unite parts of three wards to make a good foundation for the fledging Roy 10th Ward to grow. The Roy 10th began with a large area. There were a lot of elderly members. Bishop Hadley and his counselors, all young men, rallied all the members and instilled within them a loyalty to the 10th Ward. In those days divisions were rare, and treated almost as funerals.
Bishop Hadley served until January 24, 1965, when Bishop Earl F. Hill with Counselors Max Oliver and Donald Rundquist and later Milo Peterson were called to lead the Roy 10th Ward. The Roy 1st had moved into its new chapel and the Roy 10th needed a new chapel and that was this bishopric's destiny. In fact, it was a time of building. The ward had assessments to build the McKay Hospital (then owned by the Church), the Ogden Temple, the Hooper Cultural Hall and Gym, plus the new chapel. The Roy 14th Ward was created and took 2700 West from the 10th Ward and the D&RG became the East boundary, the other boundaries remained the same. The church policy then was that chapels were built by individual wards--no stake help, on a 30-70 ratio. The ward raising 30 percent of the total $330,000 needed and the Church contributing the rest. It was a long struggle, nearly six years for the faithful 50 families, out of nearly 160 families in the ward at that time as reported by Bishop Hill to build the chapel; especially in lite of the other assessments needed. The climax to the building program came the night of April 10, 1970, when a "miracle" night was held. All ward members, even children, gave their all and over $16,000 was raised in one night.
Over 20 missionaries were sent out during this time and according to Bishop Hill, 23 marriages were performed by him, and he admits that most of them didn't last until death do you part--but of the 24 funerals conducted, all are still in effect.
Groundbreaking for the chapel was held June 12, 1969, and the building completed and dedicated on August 30, 1970, by President Harold B. Lee, then of the Counsil of the Twelve. And, the Roy 10th Ward had a beautiful new chapel and used by just one ward.
On May 23, 1971, Bishop Keith Homer was called to be Bishop with James Browning and Mel Fowers as counselors. Bishop Homer had a unique opportunity of being ordained a Bishop by Apostle Legrande Richards. The Roy 10th Ward was still a part of the Lakeview Stake and President James Schoenfeld was now president. The area was still the same boundaries as above, but growing; homes in Poney Acres were being built and the Baker family had sold their tomato farm and Westbrook was emerging.
On September 16, 1973, the Roy 17th Ward was divided from the Roy 10th and Donald Rundquist was called to be Bishop of the 17th Ward. Bishop Homer and his counselors remained the same in the 10th Ward, but now the boundaries were the D&RG tracks on the East, Davis County Line on the south, 3100 West for the west boundary and 5600 South for the north boundary, less than one-fourth its original size, but once again the Roy 10th Ward rebounded but it did involve considerable reorganization. On January 23, 1974, the Roy 10th became a part of the HOoper Stake, as part of the Church program to identify stakes by the city or town in which the stake represented. The name Lakeview Stake was replaced.
The Roy 10th Ward had a roadshow the year of 1973 that brought a lot of recognition and was honored by being one of six wards in the Church to have it presented at General Conference in June at the Valley Music Hall. The Ogden Temple was dedicated this year too, a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual opportunity for brothers, sisters and children to participate in. Also, a project of growing corn, grain and tomatoes in the park behind the Roy 10th chapel was begun.
On May 8, 1977, Bishop Jay Cottle was called as Bishop of the Roy 10th Ward, with Dawn Gatherum and Bob Jensen as counselors. President James Schoenfeld ordained Bishop Cottle A Bishop, this authority had now been given to stake presidents. One year later in June, 1978, the Hooper Stake was divided and Roy 10th Ward became a part of the new Roy West Stake, with Lewis R. Child called as President.
Many changes in church policy were to come during Bishop Cottle's time, the consolidated meeting schedule in March of 1980 probably brought the biggest change and challenge with all auxiliary meetings previously held on weekdays now held on Sundays in the three-hour block time. The blacks were given the priesthood in June of 1978; new changes on the building of chapels with stake help, missionaries were called to serve for a maximum time of 18 months. And again, the members of the Roy 10th Ward were called on to help build a new stake center, a beautiful large and needed building, as the stake was growing rapidly. The new stake center was dedicated by President Child on July 15, 1981.
The park behind the chapel was planted and developed. On the anniversary of Relief Society, special formal dinners were begun, which have become a tradition for the Roy 10th Ward.
On April 17, 1983, the Roy 10th Ward again was divided and Ben Read was called to be the Bishop; his counselors were David Thomas and Kent Fisher; presently they are Stan Porter and Stan Robinson. Some of the members of the Roy 10th Ward now became part of the Roy 24th Ward and Dawn Gatherum was called to be Bishop of the 24th Ward. Boundaries of the Roy 10th Ward again were changed; still David County on the South, D&RG tracks on the east, 3100 West on the west, but now 5825 South for the North Boundary.
New homes were being built in all the open areas and in the year 1984, 32 healthy babies were born to parents residing in the Roy 10th Ward. Relief Society sisters were busy extending compassionate service where needed.
Changes in church policy during Bishop Read's call have included extending mission length back to the two years and now worthy married sisters can receive the temple endowment without husbands receiving theirs.
The church has changed the building program and now tithing worthiness is the important issue; and with the ward still growing, this has been Bishop Read's challenge. But, once again, the Roy 10th Ward will respond for it has been announced a new stake center is to be built and under his leadership the Roy 10th will be blessed.
And, as we enter the 26th year of the Roy 10th Ward, her area may have been reduced considerably, but she is still considered a "friendly" ward, who takes care of others and loves the newcomers moving in.
It is probably recorded somewhere about all the testimonies that were born, nurtured and grew within her area and now are spread throughout the earth; but from the lives of her present and former members, we cherish the memories of the Roy 10th Ward.
Wherever you are, may you be loyal to the gospel and may your memory of living within the Roy 10th Ward be a pleasant one.
To the five Bishops, we give our thanks. All five are currently living within the boundaries of the 10th Ward -- unusual, of course, but Roy 10th is an unusual, dedicated and friendly ward.
The Roy 10th Ward and the Roy 1st Ward met in the Old Chapel on 5600 So., across from the Weber memorial Hospital. Bishop Hadley was ordained a Bishop by Elder Henry D. Taylor, a general authority. The biggest challenge at this time was to unite parts of three wards to make a good foundation for the fledging Roy 10th Ward to grow. The Roy 10th began with a large area. There were a lot of elderly members. Bishop Hadley and his counselors, all young men, rallied all the members and instilled within them a loyalty to the 10th Ward. In those days divisions were rare, and treated almost as funerals.
Bishop Hadley served until January 24, 1965, when Bishop Earl F. Hill with Counselors Max Oliver and Donald Rundquist and later Milo Peterson were called to lead the Roy 10th Ward. The Roy 1st had moved into its new chapel and the Roy 10th needed a new chapel and that was this bishopric's destiny. In fact, it was a time of building. The ward had assessments to build the McKay Hospital (then owned by the Church), the Ogden Temple, the Hooper Cultural Hall and Gym, plus the new chapel. The Roy 14th Ward was created and took 2700 West from the 10th Ward and the D&RG became the East boundary, the other boundaries remained the same. The church policy then was that chapels were built by individual wards--no stake help, on a 30-70 ratio. The ward raising 30 percent of the total $330,000 needed and the Church contributing the rest. It was a long struggle, nearly six years for the faithful 50 families, out of nearly 160 families in the ward at that time as reported by Bishop Hill to build the chapel; especially in lite of the other assessments needed. The climax to the building program came the night of April 10, 1970, when a "miracle" night was held. All ward members, even children, gave their all and over $16,000 was raised in one night.
Over 20 missionaries were sent out during this time and according to Bishop Hill, 23 marriages were performed by him, and he admits that most of them didn't last until death do you part--but of the 24 funerals conducted, all are still in effect.
Groundbreaking for the chapel was held June 12, 1969, and the building completed and dedicated on August 30, 1970, by President Harold B. Lee, then of the Counsil of the Twelve. And, the Roy 10th Ward had a beautiful new chapel and used by just one ward.
On May 23, 1971, Bishop Keith Homer was called to be Bishop with James Browning and Mel Fowers as counselors. Bishop Homer had a unique opportunity of being ordained a Bishop by Apostle Legrande Richards. The Roy 10th Ward was still a part of the Lakeview Stake and President James Schoenfeld was now president. The area was still the same boundaries as above, but growing; homes in Poney Acres were being built and the Baker family had sold their tomato farm and Westbrook was emerging.
On September 16, 1973, the Roy 17th Ward was divided from the Roy 10th and Donald Rundquist was called to be Bishop of the 17th Ward. Bishop Homer and his counselors remained the same in the 10th Ward, but now the boundaries were the D&RG tracks on the East, Davis County Line on the south, 3100 West for the west boundary and 5600 South for the north boundary, less than one-fourth its original size, but once again the Roy 10th Ward rebounded but it did involve considerable reorganization. On January 23, 1974, the Roy 10th became a part of the HOoper Stake, as part of the Church program to identify stakes by the city or town in which the stake represented. The name Lakeview Stake was replaced.
The Roy 10th Ward had a roadshow the year of 1973 that brought a lot of recognition and was honored by being one of six wards in the Church to have it presented at General Conference in June at the Valley Music Hall. The Ogden Temple was dedicated this year too, a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual opportunity for brothers, sisters and children to participate in. Also, a project of growing corn, grain and tomatoes in the park behind the Roy 10th chapel was begun.
On May 8, 1977, Bishop Jay Cottle was called as Bishop of the Roy 10th Ward, with Dawn Gatherum and Bob Jensen as counselors. President James Schoenfeld ordained Bishop Cottle A Bishop, this authority had now been given to stake presidents. One year later in June, 1978, the Hooper Stake was divided and Roy 10th Ward became a part of the new Roy West Stake, with Lewis R. Child called as President.
Many changes in church policy were to come during Bishop Cottle's time, the consolidated meeting schedule in March of 1980 probably brought the biggest change and challenge with all auxiliary meetings previously held on weekdays now held on Sundays in the three-hour block time. The blacks were given the priesthood in June of 1978; new changes on the building of chapels with stake help, missionaries were called to serve for a maximum time of 18 months. And again, the members of the Roy 10th Ward were called on to help build a new stake center, a beautiful large and needed building, as the stake was growing rapidly. The new stake center was dedicated by President Child on July 15, 1981.
The park behind the chapel was planted and developed. On the anniversary of Relief Society, special formal dinners were begun, which have become a tradition for the Roy 10th Ward.
On April 17, 1983, the Roy 10th Ward again was divided and Ben Read was called to be the Bishop; his counselors were David Thomas and Kent Fisher; presently they are Stan Porter and Stan Robinson. Some of the members of the Roy 10th Ward now became part of the Roy 24th Ward and Dawn Gatherum was called to be Bishop of the 24th Ward. Boundaries of the Roy 10th Ward again were changed; still David County on the South, D&RG tracks on the east, 3100 West on the west, but now 5825 South for the North Boundary.
New homes were being built in all the open areas and in the year 1984, 32 healthy babies were born to parents residing in the Roy 10th Ward. Relief Society sisters were busy extending compassionate service where needed.
Changes in church policy during Bishop Read's call have included extending mission length back to the two years and now worthy married sisters can receive the temple endowment without husbands receiving theirs.
The church has changed the building program and now tithing worthiness is the important issue; and with the ward still growing, this has been Bishop Read's challenge. But, once again, the Roy 10th Ward will respond for it has been announced a new stake center is to be built and under his leadership the Roy 10th will be blessed.
And, as we enter the 26th year of the Roy 10th Ward, her area may have been reduced considerably, but she is still considered a "friendly" ward, who takes care of others and loves the newcomers moving in.
It is probably recorded somewhere about all the testimonies that were born, nurtured and grew within her area and now are spread throughout the earth; but from the lives of her present and former members, we cherish the memories of the Roy 10th Ward.
Wherever you are, may you be loyal to the gospel and may your memory of living within the Roy 10th Ward be a pleasant one.
To the five Bishops, we give our thanks. All five are currently living within the boundaries of the 10th Ward -- unusual, of course, but Roy 10th is an unusual, dedicated and friendly ward.
compiled by Laura Homer: 1986