Perched on a canyon rim beside mine tailings, St. Paul United Methodist Church's future seemed bleak just six months ago.

Age had weathered the house of worship and attrition had reduced its membership to single digits. Patrons, few that they were, could not pay for the utilities or their preacher.

Early this year, the ultimatum came: boost attendance and bring in some bucks or the World War II-era chapel with all the attendant charm would be shuttered.

Heartsick but hearty, the regulars from this erstwhile mining community never lost faith.

Then, a small miracle: Curious couples and random west-side residents started coming to Copperton. Each Sunday, new parishioners came - from Magna, from Kearns, from West Valley City.

Sotto Voce, an a cappella group that once performed for Pope John Paul II, donated its time during a string of fund-raisers that staked the church $10,000.

By September, membership at St. Paul had nearly tripled, prompting the most important visit of all - from the church's district superintendent.

"She said there's absolutely no way she'd think about closing it," the Rev. Carol Loftin rejoiced. "People pulled together and took some extra time in their life to keep us going. It's been a real gift."

Mary Anne Laveder is one newcomer who helped deliver the church from its demise.

"I'd seen it, but never been inside it," the Magna resident said, explaining she felt compelled to join after reading news reports about the church's fate.

"Seeing it grow and kind of feeling like you are helping something that otherwise wouldn't be there - that attracts me," said Laveder, who also now runs the church's fledgling nursery. "It's slowly coming alive."

St. Paul still has not reached the United Methodist Church's goal of 50 members, but appears on its way, according to Alicia Martinez-Madsen, who married in the chapel two years ago and now commutes from Herriman.

"The momentum and the livelihood is back in our church," she said after Sunday's service.

Over the summer, two children were baptized at St. Paul, which also underwent a modest makeover with improved bathrooms, landscaping and new paint.

On Mondays, the idyllic white church now doubles as a meeting house for Alcoholics Anonymous. It also draws rent money from a home-schooling group and is being considered for the Utah Historical Register.

Perhaps most significant for financial solvency, Loftin notes the church has been placed on a prominent bridal registry as a location to have simple weddings. The pastor hopes the church's charm - it is framed by mountains with a gazebo on the grounds - will lure couples of all denominations looking to rent the chapel for a fee.

"As long as we continue in this direction, we're doing great," said Loftin, who for the first time can draw a salary for her services, albeit a quarter of the full amount.

Over the years, the church became a favorite for "Touched by An Angel" TV film crews. It also boasts a serious history of former Kennecott Utah Copper Corp. families, a handful of whom still attend.

Two of them, Rosella Rauer and Joanie Groves, have called the church home for nearly a half-century. Earlier this year, as it teetered on closing, Groves was reduced to tears.

"They are thrilled," Madsen said about both women Sunday. "They're as thrilled as can be to have some place to go on Sundays."

The thing is, a lot more people can now say the same thing, including the two who were just baptized.

Says Loftin: "We're committed to a new generation."

djensen@sltrib.com