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Immaculate Heart Radio, a network of 22 stations and translators in four Western states, is to begin broadcasting today from the West Valley City-based station the network acquired last spring.
Bishop John C. Wester of the Roman Catholic Church's Salt Lake City Diocese will bless the station's tower in West Valley City and flip the switch at 9:30 a.m.
The station, at 1010 AM, has the call letters KIHU for Immaculate Heart-Utah.
A powerful station, with 50,000 watts, it previously was KCPW-AM broadcasting public radio programs. It was sold by Community Wireless of Park City to Immaculate Heart Radio last May.
Joe Wrona, a Community Wireless trustee, said at the time that the station sold for $900,000 to the nonprofit group based in Fair Oaks, Calif.
Immaculate Heart Radio began in 1997 and aims to educate Catholics about their faith and about Jesus Christ while preaching to others who are interested. It has stations and translators in California, New Mexico, Nevada and now Utah.
Broadcasting 24 hours a day, it includes programs originating at EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), Catholic Answers and other evangelizing Catholic organizations as well as news, devotional and question-and-answer programs.
It is supported entirely by donations and sponsorships.
Andrew McFarland, an operations technician with Immaculate Heart Radio, said the expansion into Utah was seen as a perfect opportunity.
Eventually, the Salt Lake City Diocese will air an hourlong program five to seven days a week, said Colleen Gudreau, communications director for the diocese.
Wester appointed a steering committee this summer to suggest programs for what is tentatively being called "Utah Catholic Now." A start date has not yet been set for that program, Gudreau said.
"It's got a lot of potential, but it takes a lot of planning to actually make it happen," Gudreau said. "It certainly is historic to have Catholic radio in Utah. It will increase the communication of what is happening in the diocese with Catholics and others interested in what is going on."
A Catholic radio station, KIHU 1010 AM, will begin broadcasting in the Salt Lake Valley today from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Bishop John C. Wester of the Salt Lake City Diocese will bless the station's tower at 6173 W. 2100 South in West Valley City at 9:30, and there will be several speakers from the diocese and Immaculate Heart Radio.
