Most Utahns Don't Know The Story Behind This Unique But Bizarre Pyramid
By Catherine Armstrong|Published February 25, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Utah is famously known as the headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints, which got its start in New York after its founder, Joseph Smith, said that he was visited by an angel. While the LDS Church is an ever-present part of the Beehive State, it’s not the only religion here – many people from all kinds of religious backgrounds live and worship in Utah, in various churches, temples, and synagogues.
There’s one organization here that’s very small, and not very well-known, but its place of worship is certainly head-turning. Have you ever seen the Summum Pyramid? If so, you may have wondered what in the world it was! Here’s some of the story behind the pyramid.
There's a quiet, west-side neighborhood in Salt Lake City where you'll find small, tidy homes and industrial buildings...and a large pyramid. That's right - there's a pyramid here. It's called the Summum Pyramid, and while it definitely looks out of place in this little neighborhood, it has a fascinating story.
Catherine Armstrong
You'll find the Summum Pyramid at 707 Genesee Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84104.
The property includes a caretaker's home, storage building, and the pyramid itself. It was completed in 1979 as directed by Claude Nowell, who said that he started the Summum religion after several encounters with extraterrestrial beings that he called "Summa." Nowell changed his name to Amen Ra after the encounters.
Catherine Armstrong
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The pyramid was constructed according to exacting standards and has a base of 40 feet and a height of 26 feet. It is situated on the property at an exact true north. The organization creates wine, which it calls "Nectar Publications" inside the pyramid. The publications play an important role in the practices of the group.
The philosophy of Summum includes seven aphorisms. The belief is that Moses originally carried these seven principles down from Mt. Sinai with him, but the people were not sophisticated enough to understand them, so he returned to the mountain and brought back the 10 Commandments, which were a simplified version of the principles.
Catherine Armstrong
Another unique aspect of Summum is its belief in and practice of mummification. The group's "modern mummification" is offered to members and their pets. Nowell, who passed away in 2008, was the first member to be mummified, and his remains are sealed in a gold mummiform casket inside the pyramid.
Curious about Summum? The public is welcome to attend services every Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.. The organization asks that you familiarize yourself with its concepts in advance of your visit.
