Ogden, Utah, August 4, 2026
Photo: dowoca.org
The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the West has established new mission parish in the northern Utah city of Ogden.
The new Nativity of Christ Mission is set to begin holding services next month, the diocese reports.
His Grace Bishop Vasily said he hopes the new community will serve as a missionary effort, bringing more clergy to the Greater Salt Lake City area and welcoming those seeking the Orthodox faith.
The formal establishment marks a milestone in a process that began in October 2025, when the Diocesan Council unanimously supported Bp. Vasily’s initiative to explore planting a mission in the Greater Salt Lake City area. The Missions Board subsequently formed a task force to lead the effort, chaired by district dean Archpriest Andreas Blom and missions director Fr. Peter Runyon.
The Diocesan Council has committed to fully supporting a priest and a choir director for the new mission, along with covering other initial costs. Fr. Paul Hamner, who has served as rector of St. Paul Church in Las Vegas, will lead the mission. The mission has also hired a professional choir director for its services.
In May, Fr. Andreas, Fr. Peter, Fr. Paul, and diocesan chancellor Archpriest Kirill Sokolov traveled to Utah for a series of meetings and visits with Orthodox clergy and local faith leaders as they finalized plans for the mission. The visit concluded with the four priests serving a moleben asking for God’s blessing on the mission and the people of Utah.
For more information about the Nativity of Christ Mission in Ogden, contact Fr. Paul Hamner at father.paul.hamner@gmail.com.
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