It’s the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
This past Sunday, January 23, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Highland Falls opened its doors to its congregation for the first time.
It was a much looked forward to event, but don’t get confused that it is a new congregation. For many years, the 150 men, women and children of the congregation have met for their weekly services at West Point’s Thayer Hall. But now, with the construction of the new church building at 11 Main St. in Highland Falls, the congregation finally has its own home.
The newly built chapel represents a new chapter in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ long history with West Point, the Hudson Valley and New York State, church member Marianne Woodbrey, a Fort Montgomery resident and Army officer stationed at West Point, explains. In fact the roots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints originated near Palmyra, NY in 1820, before eventually moving to Utah under the direction of Brigham Young. (Interesting fact … Brigham Young’s son Willard was the first Latter-Day Saint to attend West Point!)
While headquartered in Utah, in 1956 the Church created a branch at West Point as part of a small congregation in Newburgh that served members in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess Counties. The small group grew into what is now called the Newburgh ‘Stake’, consisting of nine congregations, or ‘Wards’ and ‘Branches’ within the mid-Hudson Valley. The new church in Highland Falls will serve two congregations; The West Point Ward and Hudson Valley Young Single Adult branch. The West Point Ward is for individuals and families living in Highland Falls, Fort Montgomery and West Point and meets on Sunday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Hudson Valley Young Single Adult Branch is for ages 18 to 30 and meets from 1-3 p.m.
The first hour is ‘sacrament meeting’ consisting of prayers, hymns and two or three speakers, “where we worship Jesus Christ” Woodbrey said. The second hour is Sunday School where members and friends learn and discuss the doctrine of Christ by studying the scriptures together.
When they began gathering in the new Chapel last week — that property, by the way, was purchased in 2019 with construction beginning in August 2020 — consists of a sanctuary, baptismal font, classrooms and a small gymnasium for weekly youth activities.
“The building is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside,” Woodbrey said.
The community is welcome to see the inside of the building for themselves at an open house on Saturday, February 12, with two sessions from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
“We believe we are all God’s children and we are here to help and serve others. We believe every person is precious and has value,” Woodbrey said. “We try to live our religion throughout the week.”
The open house is for the community to learn basic beliefs of members of the church and the purpose of the building. Tours will be given by local church leaders, cadets, and youth. Missionaries will be in attendance to answer questions. She specifically notes the community may be interested in the women’s Relief Society which focuses on serving those in need.
The church services are open to all who want to worship with the congregation. For more information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, visit www.comeuntochrist.org.
