Fundraiser in Tooele: Eat Red Beard BBQ, Hear Doug Wright, and Help Restore a Historic Church

On April 18, you have a chance to be part of a fundraising dinner to finish restoring the historic Clover Church in Rush Valley (Tooele County). The event is that Friday, 6 p.m. at the Pear Place, 311 South Main Street in Tooele.

The dinner is catered by the award-winning Red Beard BBQ, and Doug Wright of KSL Radio will be the guest speaker. Red Beard has an almost mythical reputation for its barbecue. Although the exact menu details aren’t finalized, event chairman Shondell Hymas said there will be at least two kinds of smoked meats (brisket, pulled pork or maybe the tantalizing turkey), a few sides (likely to include the fan-favorite creamed jalapeno corn) and desserts. If you’ve never been able to make it to Red Beard’s Friday sale in Clearfield, this might be your chance to check out their food.

Doug Wright one of Utah’s best-known radio personalities, will speak on the importance of preserving the past for future generations. Also, the Pear Place is becoming known as a premier event space in Tooele. So it will be a night to remember, while donating to lasting history.

The old Clover Church building was part of my childhood in Clover, Utah — now part of Rush Valley, about 20 miles southwest of Tooele. I grew up about a half-mile from the church, built in 1907 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By the time I was born in 1955, the congregation had outgrown the old brick church, and it sat vacant through my childhood, a reminder of the town’s earlier years.

A historic photo of the Clover Church back in its early years. photo from John Cluff.

As we got older, some of us kids wanted to turn the abandoned building into a “teen club,” since Rush Valley had nowhere that teens could just meet and hang out. We swept out the pigeon poop, cleaned up broken glass from the windows, etc. But our plan was short-lived, as the town leaders decided to use it as a fire station. (Maybe we did such a good job of cleaning it up? Maybe they didn’t like the idea of kids hanging out? Or maybe they didn’t even realize we had plans.)

To turn it into a fire station, part of the brick wall and the double front doors were removed to install a garage-style door for a fire truck. It remained the town fire station until a new fire station was built in 1992. By that time, I had moved away, but every time came to visit family, I noticed that the empty church building was looking worse for the wear.

  It remained this way until some history-minded people (including my cousins Carol and John Cluff) spearheaded an interest in restoring it back to its early days. Carol’s ancestor, Luke S. Johnson, was the first settler in the Clover area in 1956, so her roots are pretty deep. And, because she’s several years older than me, she attended church in that building and has a lot of sentimental love for it. She and her husband John Cluff are stalwarts when it comes to history and genealogy.

  The Clover Church Restoration Committee was formed in 2019, made of citizens throughout Tooele County with a passion for preserving this part of Rush Valley’s history.

  The Utah State Historical Preservation Office evaluated the building’s structure, and determined it was in excellent condition, and that restoring it was a feasible project.

  Since then, the committee and many volunteers have spent hours restoring the building. Tooele County Council provided three tourism matching grants. Local contractors supplied services and materials amounting to over $100,000 for half that amount. (If you’re wondering where I came in, I’m late to the party! Earlier this year, I took the committee seat of Charlie Roberts, when he and his wife Janna left on a mission.)

  The building’s interior has been restored to the point that it can be used as a meeting place and the beginnings of a local museum. But there’s still much work to do!

     Remaining needs:

• Restore back storage room
• Landscaping
• Heating System
• Install fencing
• Bell towner
• Soffit and facial repairs
• Masonry repair
• National historic register
• Install artifacts and open museum

  And thus, the need for the fundraiser Friday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at the Pear Place, 311 South Main Street in Tooele.

  We are asking for $1,000 donation for a table of 8-10 people, or $100 per plate.

  It’s your chance to be part of something special! To reserve a seat, or a table, contact shondell@chadhymas.com, or 435-840-4218.

Below is a poster announcing the fundraiser: