From Deseret News archives:
Salt Lake's Secret Garden
Man's passion for LDS religion is one of the pervading themes
The quirky Gilgal Sculpture Garden, located northeast of Trolley Square at 749 E. 500 South, has its fair share of rumors and stories. The creation of former LDS bishop Thomas B. Child Jr., the unique and unusual sculptures can't be seen anywhere else. Scattered body parts of a biblical giant, a sphinx with the face of LDS Prophet Joseph Smith, four 45-ton books and a faceless warrior are some of the 15 sculptural arrangements.
"The story of the garden cannot be told without his testimony," Hortense said from her Salt Lake home. "This is one of my great concerns . . . the message might be lost. And most people will not take the time to get to the heart of it."
"A lot of people would spend their time trying to get into the garden," said Cathy King, a member of the non-profit group, Friends of Gilgal Garden. "It really works on so many different levels spiritual, intellectual, religious. It's open to interpretation."
Creating a sanctuary
At 86 years old, Hortense still remembers her time in Gilgal Garden with her father-in-law Child.
"Those were great days," she said, smiling between memories of "Thomas B." or "Grandpa." After marrying Child's only son, the late Robert Rumel Child, Hortense served as Child's secretary, writing down his thoughts, memories and history.
"He was probably the foremost masonry contractor in the Mountain West," she said, adding that Child's stone work is on This is the Place Monument and LDS temples in Los Angeles and Idaho Falls. Thomas learned the masonry trade from his father, who co-owned the masonry contracting business Thos. B. Child and Son together. "During his time, he probably had brick work in every Salt Lake City block."
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