A sense of reverence and joy filled Avenue des Arts, within the view of the royal palace in Brussels, as dignitaries, media representatives and local members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered to mark the groundbreaking of the Brussels Belgium Temple, the first house of the Lord built by the Church in the country.
Elder Jack N. Gerard, First Counselor of the Europe Central Area of the Church presided over the ceremony. He was accompanied by his wife, Claudette. The special event was conducted by Stefaan Van Gijsel. In the dedicatory prayer of the site, Elder Gerard said that “Brussels is a city where many of thy children from various lands come together in union to find peace, prosperity, and understanding in this world.”
Elder Gerard continued, “Today, Father, we dedicate this site for a higher purpose. We ask thee to bless it as a place where thy children, regardless of their culture or language, will find union with thee through the sacred ordinances of the temple. Bless it as a place of higher purpose based on our divine identity as thy spirit children.”
Unlike traditional temple sites surrounded by open grounds, this sacred building will be constructed within an existing multistory structure, the first temple in Europe to do so. The project will include a 2,300 square meters temple, a meetinghouse where Sunday worship services will be held, and arrival facilities to welcome those who come to visit and worship in the temple.
The ceremony was broadcast in five languages, allowing members across Belgium and neighbouring countries to participate virtually. The work of construction is planned to start in the beginning of 2026.
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