After waiting for nearly three decades, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered on Saturday, 9 May 2015 to celebrate the completion of the newly constructed Salisbury Chapel. After early morning showers, the skies cleared for the Salisbury Meetinghouse Opening with John Crew (Poole Stake President), Alan Burchell (Salisbury Branch President), and Councillor Mrs. Jo Broom (the 754th Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Salisbury) participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony.
- The New Salisbury Chapel
- The Official Ribbon Cutting of the New Salisbury Chapel
- The Official Ribbon Cutting of the New Salisbury Chapel
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Addressing the local congregation, Councillor Broom extended her congratulations by welcoming the addition of the Salisbury Chapel to the local community in the historical Sarum area. During the Meetinghouse Opening, she acknowledged the memorable nature of the day, “As many have waited some 27 years since the land was acquired in 1988, I know how special this day must be for you.” Acknowledging the unique structural features of the building and the service contributions of the members, Councillor Broom noted, “This chapel represents a significant landmark in this historical city . . . I do wish you well and do hope you will have a happy and thriving future in this community.”
President John Crew then followed with remarks and expressed appreciation to all involved in the planning and construction process. While speaking to the congregation he said, “It is a day of celebration, rejoicing, and thanksgiving. We thank the pioneers whose faith and sacrifice have been critical to help us realize the vision we see today. We are blessed by the tithes and offerings of members of the Church that have made this day possible. . . . We are grateful to join with the Christian Community in Salisbury as we add another chapel of worship.”
Concluding his remarks, President Crew added “May this new chapel stand as a beautiful, sacred edifice that stands as a beacon. . . . a place where we can come to know and feel the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ and our loving Father in Heaven . . . . a time to give thanks and look to the future.”
Following the brief meeting, guests were invited to tour the building before enjoying a luncheon prepared for all in attendance. Among the nearly 200 members and guests present, six previous branch presidents were in attendance to commemorate the opening of the new Salisbury Chapel, a long-held dream that has now become a reality.