JustServe Honors Governor at Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center’s 50th Anniversary

Community leaders, government officials and hundreds of local residents gathered Saturday, June 13, 2026, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Golden Jubilee commemoration, featuring an evening of music and reflection, highlighted half a century of the center’s presence as a sanctuary of peace and service in the state of Maryland.

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A highlight of the celebration was presenting the JustServe Hero Award to Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore, recognizing his dedication to service by launching the JustServe platform across Maryland and initiating the Service Year Option, a volunteer program for graduating seniors across his state. He is well known for his efforts to encourage service and for saying, “Service will save us!” 

The governor’s senior advisor, Maria Martinez, who also serves as the special secretary for the Governor’s Office of Engagement and Community Initiatives (GOCI), accepted the award on the governor’s behalf.

Honoring a Culture of Volunteerism

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In her address, Secretary Martinez shared her personal journey as a survivor of domestic violence and homelessness to emphasize the power of volunteer networks. “Our communities are only as strong as our willingness to serve one another,” she said. “I don’t know where I’d be today if not for the wonderful people who volunteered their time, talent and treasure to lift individuals like myself up.”

Accepting the award for Governor Moore, Martinez praised the JustServe platform — a gift to the community provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — for turning compassion into direct, localized action.

She extended specific gratitude to the volunteers and leadership of Maryland’s newest JustServe cities honored that evening: Brunswick City, Hagerstown, New Carrollton, Annapolis and Howard County. They join the existing JustServe cities in Maryland, Frederick and Tacoma Park. “You are the living proof of the conviction that drives us all forward: that service truly unites and saves us,” Martinez concluded.

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A Half-Century of Open Welcome

For half a century, the Visitors’ Center has held immense significance for the state of Maryland as a welcoming space. Beyond its daily operations, the center brings the community together annually by hosting the popular Festival of Lights, filling the holiday season with beautiful crèche displays and nightly concerts from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.

“This evening is incredibly special as we celebrate the 50th anniversary,” Special Secretary Martinez remarked during the event. “The center stands as a sanctuary of peace where people from all walks of life can come to learn, reflect and to find comfort.”

Through year-round cultural events, art displays and musical devotionals, the center continues to fulfill its purpose of bringing joy and love to the region while pointing hearts toward the Savior.

Panelists Share Behind-the-Scenes History of Construction and Art

As part of the historic evening, a moderated panel discussion featured local figures and families intimately linked to the design, construction and legacy of the landmark structures. The panelists told detailed stories of the creation of both the Washington DC Temple and the Visitors’ Center.

They shared captivating anecdotes and personal stories regarding the original architects, the construction companies tasked with the monumental build, funding efforts and art.

Participants brought decades of volunteerism, leadership and personal history to the discussion. The panel featured Richard (Dick) Marriott, whose family has generously supported local Church and community charities for many decades; Brian Swinton, who, alongside his wife, Sue, was called to lead the Washington DC Mission and served as temple president and matron from 2011 to 2014; Clayton Foulger, who served as temple president from 2021 to 2024; Brent Pratt, a Washington DC Stake patriarch, alongside Meg Foulger Pratt, representing the legacy of Sid Foulger; Jalynn Prince, who organized the inaugural cultural arts committee that established the tradition of world-class exhibits and arts performances at the Visitors’ Center; and Kent Colton, who, with his wife, Kathryn, served as president and matron of the Washington DC Temple from 2014 to 2018 and coordinated the open house with more than 250,000 visitors before its re-dedication in 2022.

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