Groundbreaking for LDS temple set for Aug. 15 in Madison

MADISON – High-ranking officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have announced the groundbreaking for the Huntsville, Alabama Temple.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints said the ceremony will be held on Aug. 15 on a site of approximately 21 acres located at the southeast corner of Gillespie and Brown’s Ferry roads in Madison.

Elder John D. Amos of the United States Southeast Area Presidency will preside at the event, according to Sarah Van Wagenen, Assistant Communications Director for The Church. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet.

Alabama is home to more than 40,000 Latter-day Saints who meet in approximately 75 congregations. The temple in Madison will be the second temple in the state. The Birmingham, Alabama Temple was dedicated in 2000. The Huntsville, Alabama Temple was announced in 2024.

Attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony will be by invitation only. Individuals can RSVP by Aug. 1. Visit newsroom.churchofjesuschrist. org and click the section, “Groundbreaking Date Announced for the Huntsville Alabama Temple.”

Latter-day Saints consider temples to be the “house of the Lord” and the most sacred places of worship on earth, Van Wagenen said. Temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses or chapels.

Individuals are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses. The primary purpose of temples, however, is for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ to participate in sacred ceremonies, such as marriages, which unite families forever, and proxy baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity to be baptized while living.

The ceremonies conducted inside each temple teach about the purpose of life and unite families, both past and present. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promise to keep God’s commandments, support His work, live the higher law that Christ taught while on earth, remain chaste and dedicate their lives to building the Church.

For more information, visit newsroom. churchofjesuschrist.org.