The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broke ground for a new chapel in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Monday, September 28, 2026—exactly one year after the attack that killed four people, wounded eight others, and destroyed the building. Church leaders also dedicated the site where the new meetinghouse will be built.
“It’s a symbol of hope, a new beginning,” said Jeff Schaub, leader of the Grand Blanc congregation, or ward. “We talk about that a lot in the gospel [of Jesus Christ]—that we can shake off old things and we can start anew and we can rebuild with hope and faith. This is a reminder of that. Bad things have happened, but we don’t have to tie ourselves to those bad things. Because of the Savior Jesus Christ, we can start a new chapter.” ...
“Today we remember, of course, those that we lost on that day. And yet we’re here because we choose to build again,” said Grand Blanc Michigan Stake President Marcelino Sanchez, who oversees several congregations in the area. “This groundbreaking … is a way of saying that hope has work still to be done.”
Visit Church Newsroom to learn more about the gathering and community response in Grand Blanc.
More articles for you:
▶ ‘Does this even work right now?’ How a grieving mother put a prophet’s words to the test
▶ 4 ways to make general conference a rejuvenating retreat
▶ A former mission president shares one of the best ways to support returned missionaries