Mayor Paul Pisasale Welcomes  1200-seat Mormon Church to Ipswich

Mayor Paul Pisasale welcomed one of Australia's largest Mormon Church buildings to Ipswich during an open house held for the public on 10th December.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened their new church building to the public on Saturday, while the next day worshippers from three different congregations gathered in the new building for services throughout the day.

Mayor Paul Pisasale stated, "It is a beautiful building in a great location.”

"I was grateful to be able to see recently at a primary activity, how this church helps the young people in the community, I enjoyed participating in their activities with them."

The new Ipswich church, on the corner of Augusta Parkway and Leon Capra Drive, will seat up to 1200 people and will be the largest church in Ipswich. It was necessary to be built due to the rapid growth of Latter-day Saints in the city. Church membership has tripled in the Ipswich area requiring it to expand from one Stake (Diocese) to three.

The church will service the Springfield and Bellbird Park and Samoan language congregations.

Springfield ward Bishop Edward Pene said the convenience, let alone magnificence, of the church was a Godsend for local Latter-day Saints.

"It is a lot closer for our church community and it is the first church built in this area so there has been a lot of excitement from members and the public in general," he said.

"The Springfield ward was travelling to the Forestdale chapel near Stapylton so we don't have to travel down the highway any more."

Springfield Lakes church member Barbara MacDonald is eagerly awaiting the opening of the new place of worship.

"It's great because it is closer to home," she said.

"It has so much space as well and will be a good place for kids to be and enjoy all sorts of activities."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership in Australia continues to grow. Membership in Australia was reported in the April 2016 general conference as 146,443. 

For more information, view the QT.com.au article here