Engineering and construction on the Castle Valley LDS Church in preparation for a new steeple was completed several months ago. The steeple arrived last week and was mounted on the roof. Photo by Ron Drake
The delivery of the steeple was delayed for several months because Munns Manufacturing was busy with a large project for the Presbyterian Church in the Midwest. They are one of a very few companies that specialize in steeples, cupolas, and clock and bell towers for churches, universities, government and businesses across the nation and worldwide. The steeple is constructed of aluminum and covered with pre-finished Kynar 500 aluminum sheet metal. It is designed for wind loads in excess of 100 miles per hour and meets zone 4 seismic requirements.
The steeple replaced the original stand-alone concrete structure. That structure was showing signs of deterioration and it was feared that chunks of concrete would fall off, injuring someone on the ground. The former steeple was moved from its original position in 1995, when an addition was added to the church building and the steeple was in the way of the addition. The Castle Valley Town Council approved the request to install the new steeple on the roof of the building during their April 18 meeting.
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“The upcoming Castle Valley Gourd Festival is going to be great,” according to the organizers of this year’s event. “There are still a few things missing though and you might be able to help. We are trying to locate and gather all the commemorative gourds. We are still missing the gourds, all made by Bob Ridges and sold in the silent auction, of these years: 2004, 2006 and 2007. We’d love to borrow and display those gourds at the Gourd Gallery’s History table. If you know of their whereabouts, please call Pam at 435-259-1182,” said organizer Yrma van der Steenstraeten.
She said the Gourd Gallery is also looking for extraordinary gourd items to display – traditional and contemporary design, international gourd art, utilitarian gourds, or a favorite piece you have created. For those who can help, call Pam or Laura at 435-259-8454. Their parade and gourd walk can always use more participants. If you feel like showing off your vintage car or tractor, contact Faylene at 435-259-4743. They welcome gourd walkers, big and small to walk in the parade. Wear a gourd hat or other gourd item of your creation and you might be part of this year’s Gourd Goddess’ party. “Who doesn’t love music? The festival can’t be festive enough. Do you play an instrument and love to jam? Come and join us!”
The festival wants to go green. For the potluck lunch they do ask you to bring your favorite dish to share and also your own plate and utensils (if possible) and they will also recycle the trash. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this coming Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Town of Castle Valley lot in Castle Valley. Follow the signs from the River Road (state Route 128) into Castle Valley.
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Next Saturday, Oct. 20 marks the 162nd anniversary of when Payson, Utah, was settled by James Pace, an early Mormon pioneer. James Pace Jr., his wife and six children packed their clothing and a few household effects into their wagons and crossed the Mississippi River on a flat boat in February 1846 after being driven out of Nauvoo, Ill., with the rest of the Saints during the Mormon exodus.
He built a five-room house and planted a garden at Mount Pisgah in the Iowa Territory along the Missouri River. They stayed there and in St Joseph, Mo., and eventually moved on to Winter Quarters, Iowa, for some time before arriving in the Great Salt Lake Valley in October 1850 after more than a 1,300-mile journey. A few days later, LDS Church President Brigham Young sent Pace and his family to southcentral Utah, where he founded Payson, Utah. The name “Payson” was chosen in March 1851 by President Young after he chose Pace to be president of the local branch of the church.
What does all of this have to do with Castle Valley? It was James Pace’s grandsons who first settled in Castle Valley in 1888. According to a History of the Pace Family compiled by Donna and Larry Pace, Sidney David Pace moved to Castle Valley from Payson in 1885 and worked for the Pittsburgh Cattle Company and for the Lester Taylor Outfit. John Ezra Pace visited Castle Valley in 1887 at the request of his older brother, Sid, and moved back permanently in 1888 with his new wife Anna. John and Sid “bought the filings on a ranch in Castle Valley from John Fish,” and the rest is history, as they say.
Sid and John formed the Pace Brothers Corporation and became prominent cattlemen. They eventually bought other ranches and properties in Cisco, Sally’s Hollow, Kirk’s Basin, Gateway, Sinbad and Paradox, Colo. The ranch houses and outbuildings belonging to John Pace and son-in-law Bert Buchanan are now owned by Mimi Kemmsies and they are still in use today.