Because it is largely obscured by trees, only those walking down Provo’s University Avenue are able to appreciate the wonderful details found on the left wing of the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ. This wing is formally known as Meno Trope Hall in honor of the woman whose bequest paid for its construction.

Born in 1837, Ms. Meno Trope immigrated to America from Germany as a child, but only lived in Provo during the final decades of her life. Period articles document that Ms. Trope was known for her frugality and savvy investing. When she died in 1920, Provo’s newspapers wondered what would happen to Ms. Trope’s large fortune which was invested in Liberty Loan Bonds and other securities. A short time later, these same papers announced that Ms. Trope bequeathed the bulk of her fortune, more than $30,000, to Provo’s Community Church to construct a meeting hall and a kindergarten for the city’s children.

Construction on Meno Trope Hall began in 1922 in accordance with blueprints created by an unidentified New York City architect. In 1928, a sympathetic “Mediterranean-style” chapel addition was designed by Utah architects James Allen, Hyrum Pope, and Harold Burton to occupy the ground immediately to the north of Meno Trope Hall. This addition was never built, however. Rather, a Mid-Century Modern chapel was constructed aside the hall in 1956.

Over its long history, Meno Trope Hall has escaped demolition on a number of occasions. Currently, this building is threatened by a leaky roof and a number of other woes. The congregation is trying to raise $200,000 to remedy these issues / keep Meno Trope Hall standing.(*)

175 North University Avenue in Provo, Utah