Perry Ward - Three Mile Creek Ward

The meeting house was erected as a two story building 32 X 60 feet with a tower and large double doors on the west. The building was constructed under the direction of Bishop James Nelson at a cost of $5,000. There have been several additions. It was replaced when a new meeting house was built in 1975. It was purchased by a theatrical group and is now home to the Heritage Theater, Utah's oldest in operation since 1970. The exterior still looks like a church but the interior houses rehearsal space, scene shops, business office, and a 208-seat auditorium.

According to the Heritage Theater:
In 1969, as the Golden Spike celebrated its 100th anniversary, the Box Elder County centennial committee rallied behind an idea of writing and producing an original script with music that would capture the spirit of railroad fever in Northern Utah of 1869. Drauca J. Holmes and Lucille Lawson were given the task of researching, creating, and staging the story, which they entitled Gandy Dancers. Mayor Olaf Zundel, then mayor of Brigham city, was overwhelmed by the favorable response to the production. He asked Holmes to organize a community theatre group for the city's recreation program.

In 1970, the Brigham City Community Theatre was formed. It staged many shows at Box Elder High School and other borrowed stages. By 1975, the group of volunteers had expanded to the point of needing a permanent home for its productions. A door-to-door campaign was launched to raise down-payment money to purchase the vacant Perry LDS Church building.

In their new 161-seat location, the theatre group was able to grow into an independent, viable non-profit organization, known today as Heritage Community Theatre, Inc. In 1991, the auditorium was expanded to 208 seats. "Many community theatre groups do not survive more than four or five years," explained Holmes, "But Heritage Theatre sets a new record with every new production."

Perry Ward/Three Mile Creek Ward