Groundbreaking Ceremony Held Saturday
The first stone has been laid for the new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sant Cugat, marking the official start of construction. The ceremony took place on Saturday, 19 September 2026, at the site on Avinguda de la Clota in the Volpelleres neighbourhood, near the Meroil service station. This will be the second temple of the church in Spain and the first in Catalonia, following the existing temple in Madrid.
City Leaders Emphasise Dialogue and Inclusion
Sant Cugat mayor Josep Maria Vallès described the event as an opportunity to "bring different realities closer together, overcome prejudices, and strengthen coexistence based on mutual respect and shared responsibility." He highlighted the religious community’s solidarity and its role as a meeting point between differing beliefs, calling it a "valuable contribution" to the city. Vallès pointed to the presence of Sister Lúcia Caram, a Dominican nun known for interfaith dialogue, as an example of how religious cooperation can advance shared goals such as human dignity, peace, and human rights, without requiring anyone to renounce their identity.
The dialogue between religions does not require giving up one’s own identity. It allows us to cooperate from different convictions, with shared objectives like human dignity, peace, and helping those most in need.
He expressed hope that the temple would become not only a place of worship for members but also a symbol of a community engaged with Sant Cugat, respectful of its surroundings, and committed to harmonious living.
Religious and Community Participation
The ceremony was led by Elder Francesc Giménez and included an opening prayer by Sister Hermione Bézier from the Toulouse congregation, along with speeches by Sebastian Montaño Leigue of the Granollers stake and Maria Dolors Escolar Sáez of the Lleida stake, one of the first church members in Catalonia. A string quartet composed of members from the Granollers and Barcelona stakes performed "El Cristo es," before Elder James W. McConkie III, adviser for the Central Europe Area, delivered the closing address and dedicatory prayer. Following the prayer, local officials and church members symbolically turned the soil in four groups, marking the start of construction. The event was livestreamed on YouTube in four languages, including Catalan.
Construction Timeline and Design
The temple, expected to be completed between 2029 and 2030, will cover approximately 2,500 square metres. It will be located in the Volpelleres district, the first religious construction project in the city in 30 years.
Primary sources: Cugat Mèdia. Reported by totsantcugat.cat, TOT Sant Cugat.
