Local LDS church to expand

Ground-breaking for the new addition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sisters.

On Sunday afternoon, Gordon Sage, president of the Sisters Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, located on Trinity Way, broke ground with a golden shovel to symbolically launch the construction of a new addition to the church meetinghouse.

With an unusually warm September sun pushing the temperature into the 80s, the congregation sat comfortably indoors for the opening talks then moved outside to observe the groundbreaking cere-mony.

"We've been waiting many years to see this happen," President Sage said. "Now we'll be able to relieve our overcrowding and accommodate a larger congregation more comfortably. We'll also have more room to better serve our youth and have more social functions," he added.

Longtime members Naomi Rowe and Margaret Richens recalled that the Sisters Branch was organized in 1984 with about 25 members. The present church building was dedicated in 1985.

Rowe also noted that before the present building was completed, members met in homes, Sisters Elementary School, a rented house, a Quonset hut, and in church buildings in Bend and Redmond.

Bruce Kemp, former Branch President, pointed out that the Sisters church membership has increased over 300% in the last 17 years. "There's been a lot of work and sacrifice involved in our growth, but it's brought us a lot of joy as well," he said.

The addition will more than double the present square footage and provide seating for over 200 people in the chapel. The entrance will be moved to the north side of the building where a beautiful stained glass window will be installed. Eight new classrooms will be added as well as new restroom facilities and a baptismal font. A steeple will grace the roof as well.

New landscaping, including permanent flower beds, will beautify the grounds.