Cherry grove celebrates first worship in new meetinghouse

A total of 246 people attended sacrament meeting, filling the chapel with members, families, and visitors. Some had travelled long distances to be present for the historic occasion. Following the service, the congregation gathered for a group photograph, marking the day with a shared sense of joy and anticipation for what lies ahead.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day came when Colby Plikett was baptized. Members remained after the meeting to witness and support the ordinance. Plikket, a contractor who helped construct the building and poured the concrete for the chapel, had expressed early in the project his desire to be baptized once the meetinghouse was complete. On this day, that hope was fulfilled in the very building he helped bring to life.

Missionaries who had taught Colby were also present, along with four returned missionaries visiting from Utah and Idaho. Their unexpected attendance added to the sense of connection and made the experience especially memorable for those in attendance.

The new meetinghouse stands as a symbol of resilience for the Cherry Grove congregation, whose previous building was destroyed in a fire nearly three years ago. After years of rebuilding and anticipation, the completion of the new chapel marks a significant milestone for the community.

A date for an open house and official dedication of the building will be announced in the coming weeks.

Cherry Grove, located in northeastern Alberta near Cold Lake, has a long history with members of the Church, with early families settling in the region generations ago.