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An architectural rendering shows the Faith and Learning Center to be built adjacent to the Preston England Temple.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.After receiving approval from local government, construction for a Faith and Learning Center adjacent to the Preston England Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is anticipated to begin in December 2025.
The new center will be will serve as a dedicated space for youth and young adult gatherings and faith-based learning.
The Church emphasizes the importance for youth to grow spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially, while strengthening their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. A highlight of this program is the annual For the Strength of Youth Conference, a five-day event that include activities, devotionals and classes designed to help strengthen faith and provide opportunities for growth.
In the UK, these conferences have traditionally taken place in hired venues such as universities. The new center will provide a purpose-built space to host these and other events, offering young people a consistent and inspiring environment to connect, learn and grow.
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An architectural rendering shows the Faith and Learning Center to be built adjacent to the Preston England Temple.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.A Center for Faith and Community
The Faith and Learning Center will include two accommodation buildings, an auditorium with a cafeteria, classrooms, recreational areas, and a reception block. The design integrates seamlessly with the existing site layout, preserving views of the Temple spire and maintaining a landscaped garden setting around the sacred space.
Beyond FSY conferences, the campus will host seminars, faith-based events and community initiatives. The center could also be available to non-profit organizations, local charities, and community groups, providing a welcoming space for their activities. For example, the center could be used for blood donation drives.
Elder Alan Phillips, Second Counselor in the Europe North Area Presidency of the Church, said:
“This is a historic moment for our Church and for the young people we serve. We are deeply grateful to Chorley Council for their support in helping bring this vision to life.
“The Faith and Learning Center will be a place where young people can strengthen their faith, discover their potential, and build lifelong friendships rooted in shared values and a love for Jesus Christ.
“We also see this as a wonderful resource for the wider community, providing a place where people from all walks of life can come together in uplifting and meaningful ways.
“Most importantly, this center will bless generations to come, by offering an inspiring place where faith can flourish, and lives can be blessed.”
Faith and Learning Center
An architectural rendering shows the Faith and Learning Center to be built adjacent to the Preston England Temple. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Church of Jesus Christ was first established in Lancashire in the 1830s and in 1998 the Church opened its second temple in the UK, located in Chorley. Over time, it has become a well-known local landmark. The addition of the Faith and Learning Center will build on that heritage, creating a space that not only supports the spiritual growth of young people, but also welcomes wider community involvement.
With planning permission now granted, the Church looks forward to beginning construction and working closely with local partners and neighbors.