Step into Utah’s ‘Footloose’ church, where film and faith intersect

Thousands of cars race past strip malls and gas stations every day on State Street in American Fork. But amid all the commotion of commuting, the motorists, with their own missions or errands, may fail to notice the historic and cinematic gem right in their own community: The American Fork Presbyterian Church.

The chapel, which has stood for nearly 150 years, was featured in the classic 1984 dance film “Footloose.” And, four decades later, congregants remain proud of that movie heritage.

Marcia Hartman, one of the deacons, said she regularly tells friends that she attends the “Footloose” church.

Hey, she reasons, “if Kevin Bacon can attend this church, so can I.”

But the building, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, is more than Hollywood-induced curiosity. It is a sacred space, home to a small but growing group of Christians in the heart of a community dominated by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the beginning

American Fork’s Presbyterian congregation formed in 1877 under the Rev. George R. Bird. Eventually, the members mustered enough money to build a meetinghouse. Construction was completed in 1881 under a different pastor, the Rev. Thomas F. Day.

But the church didn’t always have a mission for religion — as was seen on the big screen. Near its inception, the building was also used for educational purposes. The Presbyterian chapel sponsored a day school, since Utah didn’t have free public education until 1890. Teachers and other congregants from the church offered a Presbyterian schooling experience for children in the surrounding area. And although the day school closed in 1909, the chapel was a refuge for this religious minority.

And while the creaking floorboards serve to this day as an audible testament to the devotion of these Presbyterian pioneers, today’s believers are committed to their Christian cause as well.

“We are small in numbers, but big in faith and heart,” the church’s website states. “Some people have been here a long time and some just a short time.”

When she moved to Provo, Natalie Okeson labored to find a church that best fit her family’s needs.

“There are many wonderful churches in the area,” Okeson said. “But obviously there is a predominant faith that we are not a part of, and so it did take a little bit of searching.”

She then stumbled upon the tight-knight band of believers at American Fork Presbyterian.

“You can tell they all care for each other,” Okeson said. “Whatever our family needed would be available to us. It was never forced upon us. So lots of invitations, always an open door and never any pressure to show up to something.”

Hartman, the deacon, said she experienced a similar welcome 4½ years ago when her husband died.

A friend invited her to join a service at the church. Soon, the congregation was praying for her. She credits those heavenly pleadings for helping her get through that difficult time.

“The fact that these people, who didn’t even know me, were praying every week [for me],” Hartman said. “It just fit all the bills, and I felt very comfortable.”

Church challenges

A building inching closer to its sesquicentennial, of course, is bound to encounter its share of structural challenges.

The roof, especially, needed repairs.

“It’s steep,” Joshua Lallatin, one of the church’s elders, explained. “And it’s a huge roof. We share space with the school that uses our education building during the week, so we had to work around their schedule as well.”

Fundraising to make the fixes began in 2018 and met its target a couple of years later, thanks partly to the sale of an accompanying building that housed clergy.

“We feel like we’re caretakers at this building,” Lallatin said. “But, yes, we got a new roof put on [in November 2024]. And, yeah, it’s in good shape. So we’re quite pleased.”

Alas, one fix remains, and it’s a biggie.

Help wanted: a preacher

American Fork Presbyterian has been without a minister since early April. Although elders handle church affairs and deacons care for the congregants, the church needs a pastor.

“It’ll be nice to have some stability,” church member Ernest Asare said. “Once we get that final.”

Lallatin said the congregation has been using “supply pastors” since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, in recent months, members have been making do via a rotating cast of pastors, parishioners and guest speakers. But they are unsure of when a permanent replacement can come.

“We are still receiving resumes,” Lallatin said. “I would imagine we’re months out.”

Hartman hopes that whoever gets the gig will keep her fellow congregants — who hail from varied countries, political backgrounds and beliefs — moving forward.

“Hopefully we’ll find someone who understands that we are a big positive presence with a lot of diversity and a lot of history,” she said. “We’re not out in the rural area. We are right in the midst of the thriving community of American Fork.”

In short, a pastor who can, a la “Footloose,” help them dance to their distinct tune.

Note to readers • Dylan Eubank is a Report for America corps member covering faith in Utah County for The Salt Lake Tribune. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories.