Recalling the interfaith funding effort that helped restore the Cathedral of the Madeleine downtown several years ago, Wilson said he believes there is potential to attract additional funding from groups interested in building good relationships between faiths in Utah.

"The Catholic church doesn't have a lot of cash wealth, and we're looking at a very broad-based effort involving an advisory committee of Catholic lay leaders and others across the state who will help us figure out how best to build it," he said.

The park, which contains dozens of replicas of early Utah buildings, currently has only one other church — a replica of the historic Pine Valley LDS Church north of St. George.

About one third of the park's funding — some $700,000 — comes from the Legislature, Wilson said. Gate receipts and merchandise sales account for a smaller percentage, meaning "we basically have to raise up to a million dollars from donors each year. That's where the big challenge comes in."

The 450 acres that now comprise the park were slated for development and some homes had already been built there in 1947, when the monument was constructed. LDS Church leaders bought out the subdivision, Wilson said, then moved the homes and gave the park to the state with the agreement that the Legislature would fund its operation.

Today, "the good news is that Latter-day Saints around the country think its primary emphasis is Mormon pioneers," so they visit in large numbers, particularly during the summer months. "The bad news is that everyone else thinks that's what it is," Wilson said, meaning "virtually all of our funding" other than legislative money "comes from Mormons."

While that's helpful, he said, the park is looking for a broader funding base as it seeks to expand. "We need to build ownership" among all Utahns.

Appreciating diversity

Bishop Niederauer said the proposal to build a replica of St. Patrick's "was a surprise in the sense that I wasn't expecting it, but I am very pleased. I think it's another excellent demonstration of the fact that people are very much committed to representing diversity in Utah's development and its history.

"If it's realized appropriately — and I believe it will be — and if it's publicized effectively, I think people will be interested to see it," he said.

While there is no funding planned by the diocese, Bishop Niederauer said he believes adding the church and other components down the road is a "very good vision for the park and reflects a fine appreciation of diversity and the complexity of Utah's story."

The effort is the latest initiative undertaken by traditionally Latter-day Saint groups to build bridges between themselves and the expanding diversity of Utahns. The annual Days of '47 celebration has taken steps in the recent past to expand its celebration from "Mormon pioneers" to include pioneers of every culture, ethnicity and faith.

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com