Gilgal Sculpture Garden: Salt Lake City’s Enigmatic Visionary Landmark
Discover Utah’s most eccentric outdoor art environment—hidden symbolism, whimsical sculptures, and the story of a builder’s spiritual quest.
Introduction to Gilgal Sculpture Garden
Hidden within a quiet Salt Lake City neighborhood, Gilgal Sculpture Garden stands as an eccentric testament to faith, art, and personal vision. With its whimsical stone structures, enigmatic symbols, and immersive botanical setting, Gilgal offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual and creative world of its creator—Thomas Child. More than a local curiosity, this garden is one of Utah’s most illustrious—and unusual—examples of outsider art and is deeply intertwined with the city’s Mormon heritage.
Origins and Historical Context
The story of Gilgal Sculpture Garden begins in the mid-20th century. Thomas Battersby Child Jr., a masonry contractor and bishop of the 10th Salt Lake LDS ward, envisioned a space where his most cherished beliefs could be transformed into physical monuments. In 1945, he started laboring in his backyard at 749 East 500 South, turning what was once ordinary lawn into a labyrinth of unique symbolic structures. Child, undeterred by his lack of traditional artistic training, spent nearly two decades pouring creativity, effort, and personal funds into this project, leaving a lasting legacy for both art enthusiasts and spiritual seekers.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Gilgal”
“Gilgal” carries heavy symbolism: it references a sacred site described in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. In the Bible, Gilgal is where Joshua commanded the Israelites to set twelve stones as a memorial after crossing the Jordan River. In Mormon scripture, Gilgal is also a place of spiritual significance, invoking ideas of passage, remembrance, and the connection between the earthly and the divine.
Main Features of the Garden
The garden sprawls just under half an acre but is densely packed with more than a dozen sculptures and over 70 engraved stones. These elements blend biblical references, LDS (Latter-day Saints) history, poetry, and personal statements—creating a mosaic both enigmatic and evocative.
- Twelve Primary Sculptures: Each crafted from carefully selected stone, these pieces reflect spiritual and metaphorical themes tied to the LDS faith and Child’s own worldview.
- Seventy Engraved Stones: Scattered through the garden, these bear scriptural passages, literary quotes, and philosophical musings, inviting contemplation on meaning and belief.
- Botanical Integration: Lush plantings accentuate the garden’s contemplative mood, providing color and life among the often-stark stones.
Notable Sculptures and Symbolism
Several sculptures have become iconic to Gilgal for their bold symbolism and unique execution:
- The Joseph Smith Sphinx: Perhaps the most famous piece, this sculpture features the body of a sphinx with the face of Joseph Smith, founder of the LDS Church. It playfully merges Egyptian iconography with Mormon religious leadership, reflecting both reverence and whimsy.
- The Sacrificial Altar: This structure symbolizes themes of sacrifice, faith, and commitment, drawing connections between Old Testament practices and spiritual devotion.
- Shrine to Bertha Child: Dedicated to Child’s wife, Bertha, this emotional tribute intertwines family and faith through symbolic representations.
- Other Symbolic Statues: Several lesser-known figures and motifs—ranging from biblical characters to allusions to the LDS migration—populate the grounds, many rendered in blocky, abstract styles.
Artistic Process and Creative Philosophy
Despite being a self-described non-artist, Child approached his work with the rigor of an architect and the passion of a mystic. He established a stone workshop on his property and experimented with methods such as using an oxyacetylene torch (typically reserved for welding) to shape stone. Child orchestrated every aspect of the garden’s design himself, with technical help from his son-in-law, Bryant Higgs, and occasional assistance from stonecutter Maurice Edmunds Brooks.
Child’s art philosophy was unconventional and deeply personal. He famously said, “You don’t have to agree with me. You may think I am a nut, but I hope I have aroused your thinking and curiosity.” For Child, the purpose of the garden was to ignite contemplation, not to impose dogma.
Visionary vs. Outsider Art
Gilgal Sculpture Garden fits into the tradition of visionary environments and outsider art. These terms describe creative works made by self-taught individuals outside the mainstream art world, driven by intense personal vision. Gilgal is Utah’s only formally recognized visionary art environment and one of a handful in the United States that entwine religious symbolism and local history so thoroughly.
The Garden’s Struggle for Survival
Following Child’s death in 1963, Gilgal faced existential threats. The property changed hands, and maintenance proved challenging. Vandals, the encroachment of weeds, and several proposals for commercial redevelopment—including plans for apartments or condominiums—put the garden’s future in peril. For decades, the garden’s only public access was on Sundays, and its unique sculptures suffered from neglect.
In the late 1990s, the Friends of Gilgal Garden (FOGG)—a coalition of volunteers and community leaders led by Hortense Child Smith, the widow of Child’s son—mobilized to save the landmark. Their collaboration with the Trust for Public Land, Salt Lake County, the LDS Church, and other foundations successfully raised the nearly $700,000 needed to purchase the garden. In 2000, Gilgal became an official Salt Lake City park, protected for posterity.
| Event | Year | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Garden construction begins | 1945 | Thomas Child starts building sculptures in his backyard. |
| Death of Thomas Child | 1963 | Garden passes to new owners, falls into neglect. |
| Friends of Gilgal Garden formed | 1997 | Community initiative organized to save the site from development. |
| Purchased by city, public park status | 2000 | Officially becomes city park, restoration begins. |
| Named to Distinctive Destinations | 2020 | Recognized by National Trust for Historic Preservation. |
Preservation, Community, and Public Engagement
The stewardship of Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a continuing, collaborative effort. FOGG remains actively engaged in maintenance, restoration, and public programming. Volunteers—including former Master Gardeners—have worked to rehabilitate both the landscaping and the sculptures themselves. Ongoing projects include securing a conservation easement to further protect the garden as the city evolves.
Gilgal has developed a devoted following among locals as well as a growing profile among tourists interested in art environments, religious history, and offbeat attractions. The garden hosts a variety of events and participates in tours, community celebrations, and educational programs.
Activities and Events
- Community art workshops and plein air painting sessions
- Annual Easter egg hunts for families
- Outdoor concerts and poetry readings
- Educational tours—popular with both students and architecture aficionados
The garden’s atmosphere—part sacred memorial, part artistic oddity—makes it a site of perpetual curiosity and inspiration.
Visitor Information
Gilgal Sculpture Garden is free and open to the public year-round. Its central location in Salt Lake City makes it easily accessible by car or public transit. The space, though intimate, is best experienced at a leisurely pace—allowing visitors to contemplate the symbolic richness and personal stories behind each piece.
- Hours: Open daily, typically from dawn to dusk
- Address: 749 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
- Admission: Free
- Accessibility: Paved paths and flat terrain accommodate most mobility needs
- Nearby Attractions: Liberty Park, Salt Lake City Public Library, downtown dining and cultural sites
Symbolism and Interpretation: Understanding the Art
Interpreting the art at Gilgal can be both fascinating and perplexing. The juxtaposition of biblical stories, references to the westward Mormon migration, and deeply personal motifs create an experience both universal and idiosyncratic. Some stones are inscribed with entire scriptural passages; others bear cryptic proverbs or reflections on faith. Rather than presenting a single narrative, Child’s compositions invite each visitor to draw their own conclusions—and perhaps, as he wished, to “arouse thinking and curiosity.”
Examples of Symbolic Motifs
- Circle of Stones: Alludes to ancient memorial sites and invokes the meaning of “Gilgal.”
- Priesthood Restoration: Sculptures reference key theological events in LDS tradition.
- Migration and Journey: Motifs evoke both ancient Israelites and the pioneers of the Mormon trek west, stressing faith in perilous times.
Recognition and Enduring Legacy
Gilgal Sculpture Garden is now officially celebrated as an historic and cultural treasure. The site was inducted in 2020 into the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Distinctive Destinations program—the first site in Utah to receive this designation. It is an essential part of Salt Lake City cultural tours and a beloved urban escape for locals.
Why Visit Gilgal Sculpture Garden?
- Marvel at visionary art rarely seen outside major museums.
- Step inside the mind of a builder who blurred the lines between artist and mystic.
- Explore the intersections of faith, community, personal legacy, and artistic rebellion.
- Enjoy a peaceful, contemplative garden in the heart of bustling Salt Lake City.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who created Gilgal Sculpture Garden?
A: The garden was begun by Thomas Battersby Child, Jr., a masonry contractor and LDS bishop, in 1945. He worked for nearly 20 years building sculptures inspired by his religious beliefs and personal philosophy.
Q: What is the significance of the name “Gilgal”?
A: “Gilgal” references both a Biblical location where Israelites created a stone memorial, and several places mentioned in the Book of Mormon. The word is often translated as “circle of stones.”
Q: What is the most famous sculpture in the garden?
A: The best-known piece is the sphinx bearing the face of Joseph Smith, which blends ancient Egyptian symbolism and LDS iconography.
Q: Is Gilgal Sculpture Garden free to visit?
A: Yes, the park is open daily and admission is free. Donations to fund restoration and maintenance are encouraged by the Friends of Gilgal Garden.
Q: How is the garden preserved today?
A: Preservation is led by Friends of Gilgal Garden, volunteers, and Salt Lake City. Restoration projects, gardening, and educational programming are ongoing, with efforts to create a conservation easement for future security.
Conclusion: A Place Beyond Convention
Gilgal Sculpture Garden is much more than a quirky park. It is a living testament to Utah’s diverse religious heritage, a rare constellation of outsider art, and a quiet space for reflection and wonder. Whether you visit out of curiosity, reverence, or an appreciation for the unusual, Gilgal stands ready to arouse both thinking and curiosity—just as its creator dreamed.
