Saints in Luxembourg Celebrate Their First Meetinghouse

From the Europe Newsroom

Some 60 years after the first branch in Luxembourg was formed, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this small European country celebrated their first meetinghouse during an open house on June 14-15, 2025.

Although the building — formerly a bank — was acquired by the Church in 2018, no celebration or community outreach took place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Ornella Ulrich Bicchierri, the Church’s communications director for Luxembourg and northeast France.

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“This building does not just belong to the Church, it belongs to all of you. It belongs to the community,” said Michaël Ulrich, president of the Nancy France Stake, before cutting the ribbon on Friday afternoon. The stake covers a large area, including the entire country of Luxembourg. Nico Pundel, mayor of the municipality of Strassen, Elodie Besson of the Jesuit Refugee Service Luxembourg, and Elder McConkie also participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

During the long-awaited open house, neighbors, friends and invited guests from government, academia, nonprofits and various faiths took the opportunity to explore this space of community and worship.

Rooms on all four levels of the refurbished premises invite dialogue and engagement. A FamilySearch Center offers free assistance and resources to those seeking to discover their family members and gather information about them and their story. 

Displays with details about the use of the various rooms, but also about the faith and practice of the Church of Jesus Christ were seen throughout the meetinghouse. Among those touring the building were Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, and Chief Rabbi Alain Nacache. Representatives of the Muslim, Hindu and Baháʼí communities were also present. Invited guests from other faiths expressed their gratitude and remarked that they intend to return.

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“I was impressed by the miracles I saw during this open house weekend,” President Ulrich concluded. “Friends got to know us and our Church. Representatives of other faiths and of the society became our friends and expressed willingness to work with us on projects based on common values. Members came together to serve and share in the spirit of unity that characterizes Zion. I am thankful to have been a witness of these miracles!”

The first branch in Luxembourg was organized in the mid-1960s, and the first ward was formed in January 2007. Prior to this new meetinghouse, Saints in Luxembourg met for their Sunday meetings in hotels and other rented spaces.

Since its repurposing, two congregations of the Church have shared the property to fellowship and serve the community. One congregation offers Sunday services in French and English, the other in Portuguese and Spanish.

Elder James W. McConkie III of the Europe Central Area Presidency attended meetings of both and acknowledged the cultural diversity of visitors and volunteers: “God loves all his children and he feels joy when they come together as one.” Quoting from the Book of Mormon, he said that God invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness.”

“I stand as a witness of Jesus Christ,” he added. “My personal relationship with Him blesses my life every day and gives me direction.” During this weekend of celebration, Elder McConkie was joined by other leaders of the Church’s Europe Central Area, including Area Organization Advisers Sister Cybèle Liebard and Sister Jayne Bingham as well as Area Seventy Elder Matthias A. Frost.