Groundbreaking for New Building in Alaska

Contributed By From the Church News

  • 9 May 2013

President Garth Hamblin (front right), his counselor Don Huntsman (2nd right), Carl Perkins (3rd right), and Boyce Bingham (left) dig in for the new building. Lei Tupou (center) looks on.  Photo courtesy Patricia Bingham.

In lightly falling snow early Saturday morning, April 27, members of Juneau Alaska Stake gathered to scoop away the first shovels of earth for their second building in the city and borough of Juneau.

President Garth Hamblin, stake president, officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony with his counselors, President Don Huntsman and President John Bringhurst.

The new 18,300-square-foot building will be located on a 12-acre site on the west side of Veteran’s Memorial Highway.

The new building is the result of growth that has taken place in the area during the last decade.

President Hamblin invited Alifeleti Tupou, a pioneer member in Juneau, to turn over the first bit of ground. The stake presidency followed Brother Tupou in turning over the soil.

Juneau’s population hovers around 32,800, increasing by only approximately 2,000 people since the year 2000.

The Church’s membership has grown from approximately 2,500 in the year 2000 to 2,713 in the year 2013.

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