The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orange, New South Wales has special cause for celebration, reaching the milestone of 50 years since the first meeting was held in this building. District President Derek Sullivan remarked, "Sunday April 3rd 2016 marked fifty years to the day since the first service was held in the Orange chapel."
Going back to April 3rd, 1966 a Thanksgiving service was held where the keys to the chapel were officially handed over from the church building department to then Branch President Ronald F. Mullin.
The Orange branch was first formed in 1960 and was a part of the Canberra District for many years. According to records, the Orange District was formed in 1975. Worshippers commuted from all over the Central Western NSW region to attend church in Orange back in those days. This commemorative conference provided an opportunity for attendees to express their gratitude to the early saints for their dedication and vision for the church to grow in Orange, and the the Lord for the great blessing to have this building to worship in.
President Sullivan commented, "A building planned and constructed with great vision for the future and sacrifice from church leaders and just a handful of local Church members. Now this great facility is testimony to the work of the Lord moving forward in the Central Western region of NSW as nearly two hundred saints gathered fifty years after that first meeting to participate in the Orange District Conference. There is a vision that the work will continue to move forward here."
Today, approximately 175 members attend church each week across the five branches of the Orange Australia District with meetings held in Bathurst, Cowra, Dubbo, Mudgee and Orange.