It was a historic and memorable day for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as church leaders and elected officials broke ground on a new stake center in Fuquay-Varina, in front of 150 invited guests. It has been more than 123 years since the Church was first established in the Raleigh area and it all began in the Town of Fuquay. Descendants of those who were first baptized in the Church in this area remarked about how many changes have taken place over the years.
“Watching the growth of the Church has been an amazing journey,” said Marie Keith, whose ancestors have been in Wake County since before the Revolutionary War. “I remember when our church congregation only consisted of a handful of members that met in the court room above Elliot’s Drug Store in Fuquay.”
Keith also recalled how that same congregation outgrew the court room, then the Moose Lodge, and eventually the Raleigh Little Theater. After which, her uncle helped build the first church building in Raleigh.
In another area close by, the Stephens family began their journey as Latter-day Saints beginning in 1969. Jim Stephens, like Keith, was born and raised in Wake County.
“I’ve witnessed so much from living in this area where there has been tremendous business, economic, and professional growth and it has drawn strong members from the core of the church,” shared Stephens.
His wife Sandra, who joined the Church five years after her husband, remarked, “It’s hard to believe the growth of the church here. It has brought members of the Church from different parts of the country and the world whether it be for education or other things,” she explained.
For the Keith and Stephens families, attending the ground-breaking of the tenth chapel in Wake County and the second in Fuquay-Varina with their friends and family was a momentous occasion.
“I am amazed that the Lord has let me live to see our membership become so many as to fill our entire [Fuquay-Varina] chapel and overflow areas,” Keith commented. “The new building is just a sign that there is more righteousness in the world.”
The Mayor of Fuquay-Varina, John Byrne, addressed the crowd and acknowledged how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fastest growing church in the area keeping up with the recent expansion of building.
“It has truly been an amazing story to me. You’ve kept a steady pace. I appreciate the efforts in all ways but most importantly to the dedication to your families, to your community, and to your church,” remarked Mayor Byrne who is serving in his 18th year in office. “You’re making a difference in our community. I appreciate all the efforts you have made in Fuquay-Varina to make our community much better because of your presence here today.”
The Mayor of Holly Springs which borders Fuquay-Varina, also participated in the ground-breaking. Mayor Richard “Dick” Sears said he has also enjoyed watching the growth of the Church over the years.
Speaking upon his experiences with meeting Latter-day Saint congregations, Mayor Sears stated, “I know of no other congregation that is more friendly. I know of no other congregation that is more willing to accept people and to meet their needs.”
The Raleigh South Stake President, Ray Runyan, who presides over nine congregations, said that this new building has been several years in the making. He mentioned it was an important day for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the stake currently has four wards meeting in the nearby Fuquay-Varina meetinghouse and another ward that is meeting in another stake building nearby.
“Due to the growth of our congregations, Church leadership realized the need for an additional meetinghouse to accommodate its growing numbers. This new chapel will host worship services for congregations that are currently meeting in other highly utilized buildings,” stated President Runyan.
He also shared when moving his family from out West to North Carolina a few years ago how he and his family felt so welcomed by the community and the Church. President Runyan said he hoped that the Church will continue to be good neighbors and members of the community.
“We can be a force of good in our communities. We desire to stand up for that which is right and virtuous. We want to have strong families. We want to teach our children to be good citizens and good members of the Church,” President Runyan explained. “We want to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ who went about doing good. He said, or commanded us, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We desire to do that.”
According to Church leaders, the new meetinghouse will measure 17,901 square feet on 6.84 acres and will take about one year to complete. It will house two congregations which will be comprised of approximately 740 members.
