Find a Latter-day Saints congregation near you
Use your location to see churches nearby, then look for meetinghouses of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Meetinghouses and temples: two kinds of building
The distinction matters for visitors. A meetinghouse, sometimes called a chapel, is the local church building where Sunday services and weekday activities take place. Meetinghouses are open to everyone, and this is where you would go on a Sunday. A temple is different: it is reserved for specific ceremonies such as marriages and proxy baptisms, is open only to members who hold a current recommend, and does not host Sunday services at all.
The UK has two temples. The Preston England Temple at Chorley, Lancashire, opened in 1998 near the spot where British missionary work began, and the London England Temple at Newchapel, Surrey, was dedicated in 1958 as one of the first in Europe. Both stand in landscaped grounds that visitors may walk, even though the buildings themselves are closed to the public. Local congregations, by contrast, are organised into wards (larger congregations) and branches (smaller ones), grouped into regional stakes, and every ward posts its Sunday meeting time.
What sacrament meeting is like
The main weekly service is called sacrament meeting and lasts about an hour. It is quiet and reverent rather than expressive, and a first-time visitor can expect the following:
- Hymns and prayers. Congregational hymns open and close the meeting, usually with piano or organ accompaniment.
- The sacrament. Bread and water are blessed and passed along the rows in remembrance of Jesus Christ. Visitors may simply pass the tray along; nobody will mind.
- Talks, not a sermon. There is no professional clergy. Ordinary members, including teenagers, are invited in advance to speak on gospel topics, so each week brings different voices.
- A second hour. Sacrament meeting is followed by Sunday School or classes for men, women and children on alternating weeks. Visitors are welcome to stay or to leave after the first hour.
- Dress is smart. Most men wear a shirt and tie and many women wear dresses or skirts, but visitors in ordinary clothes will still be received kindly.
What visitors should know
Services are free to attend and there is no collection plate; the church funds itself through members' tithing given privately. Children stay with their families during sacrament meeting, so a little friendly noise is normal. You will likely be greeted at the door and perhaps introduced to a few people, but you will not be asked to stand up or make any commitment. If you are simply curious, it is perfectly acceptable to attend once and quietly decide what you think.
Latter-day Saints hold some beliefs that differ from those of other Christian churches, including additional scripture such as the Book of Mormon and a distinctive understanding of the Godhead. Where the church sits in relation to historic Christianity is a fair and frequently asked question, and we address it separately in our guide Are Mormons Christian?
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone attend on a Sunday?
Yes. Sunday services at any meetinghouse are open to all, and no appointment or invitation is needed. Only temples are restricted, and they do not hold Sunday services.
How long are services?
Sacrament meeting lasts about an hour, with an optional second hour of classes. Start times vary by ward, commonly between 9am and 1pm, as several wards often share one building.
How do I find my nearest congregation?
Use the finder above, browse Latter-day Saints churches in the directory, or look through your county pages to see what is close to you.