Groundbreaking Marks Commencement of Fairview Texas Temple Construction

LDS Gospel February 21, 2026

Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, First Counselor in the United States Southwest Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Alexis, ceremonially turn the soil on the site of the Fairview Texas Temple with local Church leaders and members in Fairview, Texas, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

FAIRVIEW, TEXAS — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially began construction on the Fairview Texas Temple on Saturday, February 21, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the expanding religious community in the Lone Star State.

Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, First Counselor in the United States Southwest Area Presidency, presided over the traditional groundbreaking ceremony. The event signals the start of work on what will be the eighth temple in Texas, with three currently under active construction.

A Sanctuary of Peace

In a dedicatory prayer offered at the site, Elder Schmitt emphasized the temple’s role as a spiritual anchor for the region.

"We pray this will be a place where all Thy children may come to feel a unique outpouring of thy divine presence, power, and peace," Elder Schmitt stated. "We pray a blessing to be upon all Thy children in this beautiful community of Fairview, Texas, and surrounding municipalities."

The ceremony included remarks from local members, including youth representative Lindsey McKneely, who described the temple as a "refuge" and a place where life "slows down." Local leader Bishop Nolan Godfrey noted that the temple serves as an "open invitation for all to come unto Christ," highlighting the Christ-centered nature of the Church's worship.

Project Specifications

An artistic rendering for the exterior of the Fairview Texas Temple.

The Fairview Texas Temple was first announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson in October 2022. According to official plans, the facility will feature:

Location: An 8.16-acre site at 651 East Stacy Road.
Structure: A single-story building approximately 30,000 square feet.
Design: The exterior will bear the inscription "Holiness to the Lord," designating it as a sacred space.

The Church in Texas

Youth from the Allen Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fairview Texas Temple in Fairview, Texas, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The Church’s footprint in Texas has grown substantially, now serving over 390,000 members across more than 750 congregations.

Unlike local meetinghouses, where weekly Sunday services are held and all are welcome, temples are considered "Houses of the Lord" reserved for sacred ordinances. These include eternal marriage ceremonies and proxy baptisms for ancestors.

The Fairview site will remain under construction for the foreseeable future, with a public open house and formal dedication date to be announced upon completion.

MORE PHOTOS:

Lindsey McKneely, a youth from the Allen Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares her thoughts about the temple during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fairview Texas Temple in Fairview, Texas, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, First Counselor in the United States Southwest Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Alexis, prepare to ceremonially turn the soil on the site of the Fairview Texas Temple with local Church leaders and members in Fairview, Texas, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

A painting of Jesus Christ on display inside a local meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fairview Texas Temple on Saturday, February 21, 2026.