The Church of Jesus Christ Opens the Doors of Its New Chapel and Welcomes Religious Leaders and Government Officials in Guyana

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East Bank Demerara, Guyana — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held an open house and dedication for its new chapel in East Bank Demerara, welcoming government officials, religious leaders, representatives of community organizations, and members of the public. The event was designed to strengthen mutual understanding and promote dialogue and collaboration within the community.

The event was presided by Elder Valeri V. Cordón, General Authority Seventy and President of the Caribbean Area, who welcomed guests alongside President Carl Van Gils, president of the Georgetown Guyana Mission; President Jean Pierre Nathoo, president of the Georgetown Guyana District; Sanjay Pooran, first counselor in the Berbice Guyana District Presidency; and Natasha Khan, Guyana Communication Director.

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More than 70 guests toured the new chapel during the open house, guided by youth and leaders of the Church’s auxiliary organizations, who explained the purpose of the various areas dedicated to worship, gospel instruction, strengthening families, and serving the community.

Among the special guests were Sonia Parag, Minister of Education; Judy Joseph, Managing Director of EMPRETEC Guyana; Peter Pompey, Chairman of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC), as well as former President of the Central Rotary Club of Georgetown; and Chaitram Dhanesar (Prabhu Dave), Chairman of the ISKCON Guyana National Council, President of the Inter-Religious Organization of Guyana (IROG), and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

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Also in attendance were Elizabeth Mahadeo, representing Brahma Kumaris Guyana; Captain Jean Dieudanne of The Salvation Army Guyana; Bishop Francis Alleyne of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Guyana; and Kenneth Daniels, President of Science of Spirituality Guyana.

The dedication ceremony, held on Sunday, was also attended by Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, and Kwame McCoy, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, who joined Church leaders for this significant occasion.

Throughout the activities, guests shared perspectives on the important role religious organizations play in strengthening families and supporting young people. They also learned about the Church’s humanitarian, self-reliance, family strengthening, and community service programs in Guyana and around the world, as well as the purpose of chapels as places of worship, learning, and service to others.

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The open house and dedication strengthened relationships between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and various sectors of Guyanese society, reaffirming a shared commitment to serving individuals, strengthening families, and building communities through mutual respect, cooperation, and Christlike service.