About Holy Family · Ogden, Utah
Holy Family Catholic Church is a Catholic parish in the south end of Ogden, Utah, part of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Founded in 1979 by Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal with Father George F. Davich as its first pastor, the parish was carved out of St. Joseph's downtown and St. Mary's west-side parishes and grew from 187 founding families into a vibrant, multi-generational community. After years of worshipping in a theater, a converted warehouse (the 'Alamo Church'), and a multi-purpose social hall, the parish dedicated its permanent 500-seat church on October 21, 2008 under Bishop John C. Wester. Today it is led by Father Joseph Minuth, O.P., with Deacon Douglas Smith assisting, and is known for an active calendar of ministries, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a strong Catholic culture rooted in family life.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph M. Minuth, O.P.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salt Lake City
Why belong here
Holy Family offers daily Mass Monday through Friday, two Sunday Masses plus a Saturday vigil, and extensive Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesday in the chapel, Wednesday in the main church). It is a family-focused parish with a wide range of lay-led ministries — youth group, OCIA (RCIA), Children's Religious Education, Council of Catholic Women, Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, Troops of St. George for fathers and sons, Handmaids of Mary for mothers and daughters, a Prayer Chain, Bereavement Ministry, Homebound Ministry, and Fellowship Committee — so newcomers can plug in easily. With a permanent sanctuary dedicated in 2008 and a debt-free building celebrated in 2021, it is a stable, welcoming Catholic home in southern Ogden.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. (Reconciliation Chapel, back right of the main church)
- Saturdays 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Reconciliation Chapel)
- By appointment — contact the parish office
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. — in the downstairs chapel
- Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. — in the main church
Our Story
Holy Family was born on August 6, 1979 when Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal appointed Father George F. Davich to found a new parish carved from St. Joseph's and St. Mary's. The community first worshipped in a theater (the 'popcorn Mass'), then a warehouse ('Alamo Church'), then a multi-purpose building dedicated May 26, 1981 by Bishop William K. Weigand that is still in use as the Social Hall. After decades of growth under pastors including Msgr. Lawrence Sweeney and Father Patrick Elliott, the permanent 500-seat Holy Family Church was dedicated October 21, 2008 by Bishop John C. Wester, and the building debt was retired in 2021.
Founding Pastor: Msgr. George F. Davich
Father Davich guided Holy Family from 187 founding families through the theater, the warehouse, and the dedication of the 1981 building. He later served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Salt Lake City before being succeeded by Father Sweeney in 1982.
Building the New Church (2005–2008)
A parish feasibility study found that 84% of parishioners wanted a new, larger church. A capital campaign with Walsh & Associates, more than 70 parishioners involved, and builder R&O produced the 500-seat sanctuary dedicated October 21, 2008 by Bishop John C. Wester.
Debt-Free Celebration (October 2021)
On Oct. 17, 2021 the parish gathered to celebrate retiring the debt from the 2008 church building at a Mass with Bishop Oscar A. Solis; Father William Wheaton concelebrated, with Deacons Doug Smith and Dale Dillon assisting.
Clergy & Leadership
Holy Family is currently led by Fr. Joseph M. Minuth, O.P., who was named administrator in July 2022 and began his assignment August 3, 2022. He is assisted by Deacon Douglas Smith (and at the 2021 debt-retirement Mass by Deacon Dale Dillon). The Parish Council is chaired by the pastor with Tom Ford as President, Karen Cousineau as Vice President, Erik Klinckman as Scribe, and members Carol Neneman and Rose Peterson.
About Father Joseph Minuth, O.P.
Fr. Joseph Minuth was born in Modesto, California, and is a member of the Dominican order (O.P.). After serving as parochial pastor at three campus ministries, he came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2019 as parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden, then spent a year at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Logan and as chaplain of the St. Jerome Newman Center at Utah State University. He is the founder of Luke TwoForty, a young-Catholic-family ministry named after Luke 2:40.
Faith Formation
Holy Family runs year-round religious education for children, youth, and adults using USCCB-conforming catechetical series and Safe Environment compliance under the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
Children's Religious Education (CRE)
CRE classes for Kindergarten through 9th grade meet in the Education Building (east of the church) on Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. during the regular school year.
Confirmation Preparation
High schoolers may begin Confirmation preparation in 9th grade or later. The two-year program is taken through the CRE program and includes family formation.
OCIA (Adult Formation)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults meets in the Education Building on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., beginning at the start of Lent and continuing through Easter of the following year. Presenters include Father Minuth, a Lay Ecclesial Minister, the parish Bible Study leaders, and parishioners. OCIA candidates are dismissed after the homily to study that day's Mass readings and apply them to their lives. The group also visits Catholic Community Services and attends diocesan OCIA events. Sponsors are recruited from the parish to walk with candidates.
Parish Ministries & Groups
More than twenty lay-led ministries serve the parish and surrounding community, ranging from liturgical service and formation to outreach, fellowship, and family life.
- Luke TwoForty — monthly gatherings for young Catholic families
- Troops of St. George — outdoor and sacramental formation for fathers and sons
- Handmaids of Mary — Catholic mothers-and-daughters club for girls ages 5–18
- Youth Group — Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. in Federal Hall
- Council of Catholic Women — first Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Social Hall
- Altar Society — Mondays 9:00 a.m.
- Knights of Columbus
- Well Read Mom
- Homebound Ministry
- Bereavement Support Group
- Prayer Chain Ministry
- Fellowship Committee
- Grandparent Adoption Program
- Digital Evangelization Committee
- Liturgical Ministries (altar servers, lectors, EMHCs, cantors, choir, instrumentalists, ushers)
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The office is closed Friday through Sunday. Family Registration for the parish and sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Confession, First Communion, Confirmation) is available through the website.
- Address: 1100 East 5550 South, Ogden, UT 84403
- Phone: (801) 479-1112
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (closed Fri–Sun)
- Website: https://www.holyfamilyutah.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George F. Davich (Msgr. George Davich)1979–1982
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal; led the parish from the Country Club Theatre, to the Alamo warehouse, to the dedication of the social hall/temporary church in May 1981.
- Msgr. Lawrence P. Sweeney1982–
Succeeded Father Davich; acquired an additional four acres bringing the property to eight acres, and built the Parish Center at the top of the hill in 1990.
- Rev. Patrick Elliott2005–
Appointed pastor by Bishop Niederauer; launched the long process of building the new permanent church, which was dedicated in 2008.
- Rev. William (Bill) Wheaton
Served as pastor and was among the concelebrants at the October 2021 Mass celebrating retirement of the church-building debt.
- Rev. Joseph M. Minuth, O.P.2022–present
Appointed parochial administrator in July 2022 (began assignment Aug. 3, 2022). Founded Luke TwoForty for young Catholic families.