The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons, has announced plans to set up its first temple in Belgium. The religious group has bought a building in central Brussels, hoping to turn the former office block into a place of worship.
Church President Russell M. Nelson unveiled plans for about 20 new temples on 17 June 2024. These are set to serve as key activity centres for their community and Brussels is a priority location, as the first Belgian city to host such a structure.
Documents reviewed by Belga News Agency reveal that the chosen building is at 52 Arts Avenue in central Brussels. The 2360m² office block was bought in 2021 and an application for a permit for its conversion into a religious and cultural centre was made the same year.
A fresh application, focusing this time on its environmental impact, was submitted on 25 June 2024 to repurpose the offices into a religious venue with potential accommodation. However, it was rejected on 23 July, Brussels Environment confirmed.
“We can only confirm that ongoing procedures and negotiations are progressing correctly, in line with the requirements of the City of Brussels,” the Church’s spokesperson in Belgium stated.
A date has not yet been mentioned for the temple’s opening.
Mormon temples are considered the most sacred buildings for the US-originated faith, which has about 7,000 members in the United States. They are usually exclusive to members of their community and can host sacred ceremonies.
