Historic Rock Church, Mount Carmel Utah

Hidden amongst little greenery, with Mount Carmel looking in the desert background, historic Rock Church (Utah) sits silently, a reminder of the origins of Cedar City's pioneering history. Here began the start of Mormon infiltration into the Western United States. Today tourists, not just religious followers, visit the church all year round.

Deep in the desert and high on a plateau, Mount Carmel watches silently over the historic Mormon built city of Cedar City. Its pioneering history is a gentle reminder to all Americans of how the West was won for all peoples, including its humble beginnings at the Mormon Rock Church.

The original Mormon settlement of Utah began around 1864 with Winsor town, then as settlers drove their covered wagons further west. However, relations with local native tribes were strained and sometimes downright dangerous. Despite all the best efforts, it took seven years before the pioneers were able to settle in the area permanently. According to historical records, Cedar City was created to honor Mount Carmel, named in honor of its sister mountain in today's Israel.

The church started as a log structure, built around 1890, and began its life as the area's only school and local church. At the turn of last century it burnt to the ground, but by 1923 it was standing strong again. Its name was derived from the materials used to construct it – rock. Because of its importance to Utah history, it has now been registered nationally as a place of American historic importance. It is definitely worth a quick look in.