Chimneys down, ‘House of Rock’ still up
Decaying, century-old smokestacks deemed unsafe make way for a new roof on the historic church turned Kamikazes Club since 1993.
Now and then: Kamikazes Club today compared to its appearance circa 1906 as First Presbyterian Church of Ogden.
Photo credits: Deann Armes (left) on December 2, 2021. Right photo courtesy of Weber State University Special Collections
NEWS
Today in Ogden, it rained sandstone as a scaffolding company dismantled the century-old chimneys from the old church building on 2404 Adams Avenue that has been home to Kamikazes Club since 1993. Tommy Melonas, who has owned and operated the club since its opening twenty-nine years ago, said the deteriorating smokestacks had to come down due to safety issues and to allow for a much-needed new roof. As the process continues over the next two days, Melonas is allowing anyone who wants to keep a piece of history to come and take one of the surviving bricks.
Top two photos: chimney removal on December 2, 2021 at Kamikazes Club building built in 1906. Photos courtesy of Tommy Melonas
Bottom photos: some solid pieces remain of the withering sandstone bricks from the chimneys that Melonas is letting people take home. Photos by Deann Armes
Many of them turn to dust with the slightest drop. The sandstone bricks, having succumbed to years of smog, weather, and atmosphere exposure, can never be fully replaced in their original form, according to Melonas. “It’s been a struggle,” he said, taking care of the building alone through the years.
Tommy Melonas has owned and operated Kamikazes Bar and Grill since he purchased the old church building in 1993. Photo by Deann Armes
Melonas purchased the historic structure from his uncle Gus Chournos, who had bought it from the American Legion—who took out the stained glass, Melonas said, and possibly the bell towers but that’s unknown. The flagpole in front still bears the American Legion plaque that reads: “Baker Merrill Post 9".”
It was “the thing” back then, turning old churches to American Legion bars and clubs, Melonas said. “They did all kinds of weird shit to old buildings,” he laughs.
Now, sans colored glass, it shines on what is rumored to have once been called “Cathedral Hill,” as Kamikazes Club and Grill, a place where rock n roll replaced hymns. It’s well-known in Ogden for its hell-raising rock concerts, family recipe-based souvlaki dinners, and good cheap drinks—like the kamikaze shot the bar is named after.
The drink, not the WW II-style attack, jested Melonas. But, there’s a funny story.
As American Legion Post #9, a WW II tank was displayed in front of the building that “hoodlums” tried to turn into, you might say, a kamikaze one early spring night in 1954 that ended up firing a shot at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church across the street.
The March 10, 1954 Ogden Standard-Examiner article—Hoodlums Blow Up Gun on Legion’s Tank—reads: “hoodlums jammed gunpowder or dynamite into the muzzle and applied a match…the sharp roar of the turret gun about 10:15 p.m. could be heard for miles around.” Both the Catholic church and the old Presbyterian church suffered structural damage. The “mischief makers” apparently ran for cover and no injuries from nearby hospitals were reported.
Melonas had many more stories to tell of the building, like the time they moved part of the ceiling and found a dead crow staring at them. One thing he hasn’t seen are any ghosts. Despite frequent inquiries, he said the place is not haunted. If anyone know it would be Melonas who has spent many late nights alone there.
“I just try to keep it as nice as I can get it,” he said. “These old buildings need a lot of love.”
One of the decaying chimneys before being dismantled on the 1906 building on 24th and Adams. Photo courtesy of owner Tommy Melonas.