August 9, 2025, 4:05pm MDT
Just two years after Virginia’s first Lord’s home became devoted, the ground broke for a moment.
Hundreds of Latter-day Saints, civic leaders and community members witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony at Winchester Virginia Temple on Saturday, August 9th. This will be the second home of the Lord in this South Atlantic and the first home in northern Virginia.
Elder Robert M. Daines – 70 members of the Northeastern US President, and a second counselor, presided over the ceremony. He also offered prayers on the site as its construction phase began.
Information about the ceremony was also aired online and was featured in a news release on Thursday August 9th on churchofjesuschrist.org.
Elder Danes said that Temple’s groundbreaking, more than an event or manipulation of photography, reflects something deeper. “These are the moments when God’s people begin to create spaces for them to live with them.”
He pointed out that temples are useful only if they helped them shape their clients outside the walls, move towards greater compassion, integrity, service, and become like Heavenly Father.
“We are shaped by temple worship and efforts to become worthy of it,” Elder Daines said. “Every temple is a sign of God’s hope for us, an invitation to live with him and become like him. We make promises, but we learn to be equipped and formed by these promises.”
In prayer at the site, Elder Daines pleaded that those working on building the temple might be kept safe and that they could be given joy, satisfaction and peace in their work. He also sought blessings from those who wanted his Heavenly Father for his comfort and grace.
“May this temple be not only a refuge or retreat from the world, but also a mourner of your peace, and the head of your heavenly beach on earth,” he prayed. ”
Among the groups invited to break the ground on the site were children’s choirs from Gainesville Virginia stocks. Early in the ceremony, the main children’s chorus sang “You to Our Prayer.” The lyrics were written by the church President Russell M. Nelson.
About Virginia Churches
Planned as a 30,000-square-foot single-storey building, Winchester Abbey will be built on an 11.27-acre site at 200 Merriman’s Lane in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia.
President Nelson announced his Winchester home on April 2, 2023 and April 2, 2023. This was one of 15 locations identified, including two other Eastern state temples, North Carolina and Pennsylvania temples.
Before 2018, Virginia had no dedicated temples or presentations. Just seven years later, one temple is operating in the state, one in the construction phase and two in the planning phase.
The Richmond Virginia Temple was dedicated on May 7, 2023 by President Darrin H. Oaks, the first counselor of the first presidency. President Oaks pleaded, “To participate in joy and understanding, and to bless everyone who serves in the holy temple that your work can proceed to advance for all your children.”
State temples in the planning and design phase include the Roanoke Virginia Temple, which was announced in 2023 and the Norfolk Virginia Temple, which was announced in 2025.
Virginia’s first stake was founded in Richmond in 1957. The church grew rapidly in the state in the 1970s and 1980s, at which point 10 new bets were established.
Today, around 100,000 Latter-day Saints live in Virginia, making up more than 210 congregations.
