saint olaf catholic church

Orchard Drive & 1800 South
Bountiful, Utah
Architect - Brotherton & Gillies
Dedicated - July 29, 1980

"For nearly 100 years after the area was first settled by the Mormon pioneers, there were no Catholic churches between Salt Lake City and Ogden. The few Catholics in South Davis County attended Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. St. Olaf Parish was established May 26, 1943, as a Paulist Mission to include the entire Davis County. The name of St. Olaf, Viking king and patron saint of Norway, was chosen by Bishop Duane G. Hunt in recognition of the Scandinavian residents of Utah.

By the beginning of 1978, the parish had 400 families. Father Thomas L. McNamara held a general parish meeting where it was decided it was time to build a permanent church. Ground breaking for the new church and parish hall took place July 8, 1979. The basic structure was completed by professional builders in April 1980. Parish volunteers finished the interior, including sheet rocking, painting, plumbing, and electrification.

The new church was dedicated July 29, 1980, the 950th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Olaf. By 1983, the parish had 500 families. The parish hall, the McNamara Center, was completed in time for its first big event, the annual Ladies Luncheon on Oct. 15." (Saint Olaf Catholic Church website)







Church Building Under Way
"Bountiful - Construction of a parish center at St. Olaf's Catholic Church and School northeast corner of 18th South and Orchard Drive, is expected to be completed by spring of 1980. The Rev. Thomas L. McNamara, pastor of St. Olaf's Catholic Church, said ground was broken for the $700,000 building in July but construction did not begin until the end of August.

He said the two-story brick building will contain a basketball court, parish social center, kitchen and other rooms on one side and a church on the other. Church services are now being held in a large room in the school.

Father McNamara said the contractor for the building is William Francis Construction Co. and the architect is Brotherton & Gillies, both Salt Lake City firms. The pastor said his church is in the midst of a fund drive to raise the $700,000 needed to construct the building." (Deseret News 27 Nov 1979)

dreier home

This fantastic home off Mueller Park Road in Bountiful was designed by the late Eduard Dreier over 30 years ago, sometime in the 1970's. The home addresses the site and the region it is built in. The home uses thermal massing by placing the large fireplace in the center of building. From this, the home is able to remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There is generous glazing on the south facade with large overhangs to block the high summer sunlight but allow in the low winter light. The original owner who commissioned the design still lives there. Unfortunately, they never agreed to have the home published. I wasn't able to get inside, but the owner was kind enough to let me walk around the property.


Large overhangs protecting home from south-facing summer light. Photo taken from bridge walkway over a stream leading to the entry.


South facade of home.

As you can see, the home is part of the landscape, does not feel intrusive, and seems to belong to the land - as a natural extension. It fits in to the surrounding context in which it is placed; it is not forced or arrogant. The home is interested in seeing and understanding, not in being seen or understood. Compare this to the McMansions being built up the hill. These homes want to be seen and stand out. They are cookie-cutter houses you can find anywhere in America. The Dreier home is a home designed specifically for the Utah climate by a local architect with minimal impact on the surrounding community. In contrast, McMansions are designed by builders and graze down or force a community where they shouldn't be one; in this case on the top of a hill.


McMansions being built up the hill from home.


Landscaped steps leading from stream up to home.


Front of home.