PICTURES TELL THE PAYSON STORY -- PAYSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: EARLY PAYSON LDS CHURCHES

Pictured above: The Nebo Stake Tabernacle on right, and the Original Tithing House and Nebo Stake Tithing House.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints organized the first branch of the church at Fort Peteetneet on December 20, 1850. This was two months after the first settlers arrived to establish the new settlement, writes L. Dee Stevenson of the Payson Historical Society. Apostle George A. Smith directed the organization of the new branch of the church in the new community. James Pace was appointed to preside over the Peteetneet Branch. Shortly afterward the name of Peteetneet was changed to Payson and the branch now became the Payson Ward.  Find the complete story in this week's print edition of The Payson Chronicle.