In a recent government meeting, community members expressed their passionate commitment to preserving the historic seminary building in Payson, which has remained vacant since September 2022. The building, over 100 years old, holds significant historical value, as it is tied to the founding of the city by James Pace, an ancestor of one of the advocates for its preservation.

The group, representing a nonprofit organization, has approached the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the current owners of the property, with requests to either lease or receive the building as a gift. They emphasized their lack of funds to purchase the property outright, citing rising real estate values as a barrier to acquisition.

Community support for the preservation effort is robust, with hundreds of signatures collected on petitions advocating for the building's future. The advocates have also engaged in outreach efforts, including distributing brochures and placing posters in public spaces to raise awareness.

Despite their efforts, the church's real estate department has been unyielding, expressing a preference for demolition over preservation. The advocates highlighted the building's artistic significance, noting that it features work by local artist Lucky Pickering, whose pieces are increasingly rare.

The group is determined to continue their fight to save the building, which they believe could serve as a museum to showcase pioneer artifacts and honor the city's heritage. They are currently awaiting further communication from the church's historical department regarding the property's valuation and potential next steps in their preservation efforts.