The Mexican Branch LDS Meetinghouse, completed in 1950 in Salt Lake City, is significant at the state and local level under Criterion A in the area of Ethnic Heritage for its association with the history of Utah’s Latinx population and for the role it served not only as a place of worship but as a place for activities that honored and celebrated the cultural traditions of the Latinx community, such as festivals, educational programs, and performances outside of religious worship. Although the building was constructed outside the period of significance for the Historic Latinx Resources in Utah, 1776 to 1942 Multiple Property Documentation Form, the events that occurred during that period, including the initial fundraising and planning for the new meetinghouse, contributed to the eventual construction of the Mexican Branch meetinghouse between 1948 and 1950. The Mexican Branch meetinghouse is the physical culmination of the dedication and effort of the first Spanish-speaking branch of the Church in Utah. The congregation originated in 1920 with the first Spanish-language missionaries of the Church. Between 1920 and 1950, the branch adapted existing buildings, a restaurant, a former ward building, and a former stake hall to serve as its meetinghouse and community center. The Mexican Branch began planning for its own meetinghouse in 1939, and through the persistent efforts of branch members, the meetinghouse was constructed in 1948–1950. It was the first purpose-built meetinghouse designed and dedicated in service to Latinx Latter-day Saints. The Mexican Branch continued to grow and was designated the Lucero Ward in 1960 under the Temple View Stake. The organization continued to be the only Spanish-language ward in Utah until 1962, and the meetinghouse continued to serve the Latinx community as a place of worship and as a community center until 1981, when it was sold.
The Mexican Branch meetinghouse meets Criteria Consideration A for Religious Properties because it derives its significance from its association with Latinx communities in Salt Lake City and Utah and from its architecture.
The period of significance of for the Mexican Branch meetinghouse is 1948–1971. The beginning of the period coincides with the construction groundbreaking and the duration of its use by the Mexican Branch, and later, the Lucero Ward. The coincides with the 50-year threshold for historic properties, as defined by National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation.